Lepidocephalichthys eleios differs from all its congeners by lacking any modifications of the pectoral-fin rays in males. Pectoral fin has 7-8 rays which are adjacent with narrow or without membrane between them and in males, these are separate, not fused and have no dorsal or ventral projections. This species is also distinguished from congeners by the following characters, but not unique to it: body with irregular midlateral row of irregularly set small spots, sometimes forming a stripe; body with middorsal row of 9-12 saddles, reaching downwards to about ¼ of body depth, sometimes regular, sometimes irregularly shaped and of unequal density, wider than interspaces; arched black band at base of principal caudal-fin rays (no ocellus or black spot at caudal-fin base); caudal fin with pigments on rays and membranes forming 2-3 very irregular bars, posterior one along distal margin, bars irregularly in contact or fused, leaving variously shaped unpigmented patches; postlabial flange very long and narrow; head scaleless; caudal fin truncate to slightly emarginate (Ref. 117200).