Excluding Pseudecheneis paviei, Pseudecheneis sulcatoides, and Pseudecheneis sympelvica, this species differs from other all congeners by the absence of a prominent bony spur on the anterodorsal surface of the first dorsal-fin pterygiophore. Can be separated from these three species by the combination of the following characters: body elongate with 36-39 vertebrae; thoracic adhesive apparatus with 12-14 transverse laminae; separate pelvic fin; caudal peduncle length 25.0-28.3% SL; presence of a first-dorsal element; complex vertebra with bifid neural spines. Additional characters useful to distinguish this species include: caudal-peduncle depth 4.0-5.2% SL; eye diameter 8.8-10.6% HL; pelvic-fin length 21.2-28.7% SL; length of adipose-fin base 17.8-22.7%; body with pale colored patches; neural spines of the last 2-3 preanal and first 6-7 postanal vertebrae gradually increasing in height; pectoral fin length 121.6-156.3% HL; and vertebrae 37 (Ref. 74729).

Description: D i+6; A iii,8, iv,7, iv,8; P i+12, i+13; V i+5 (Ref. 57830).