Diagnosed from all other species of the genus Pareiorhaphis by having a longer snout (71.1-75.6 vs. 52.8-69.9% HL). Can be differentiated further from most other congeners, except for Pareiorhaphis garbei, Pareiorhaphis vestigipinnis, Pareiorhaphis cerosus, and Pareiorhaphis splendens, by having smaller orbital diameter (8.6-11.3 vs. 11.7-18.8% HL). Differs further from Pareiorhaphis garbei by having bifid teeth, with a small lateral cusp in both dentary and premaxilla (vs. simple teeth, without lateral cusp in both dentary and premaxilla); from Pareiorhaphis vestigipinnis by having an adipose fin (vs. adipose fin absent); from Pareiorhaphis cerosus by having one to three preadipose

azygous plates (vs. three to five plates); and from Pareiorhaphis splendens by the longer pelvic-fin spine (19.4-23.4 vs. 12.6-19.1% SL) (Ref. 75793).

Description: Dorsal fin with spine followed by seven branched rays; anal fin with one unbranched and five branched rays; pectoral fin with spine and six branched rays; pelvic fin with one spine and five branched rays (Ref. 75793).