Distinguished from Pachypanchax playfairii in lacking raised dorsolateral squamation and in details of its color pattern. Males without rows of discrete red dots on the flanks and red edging to the vertical fins; female lack any sort of black markings on the dorsal fin. Has the shortest pectoral fins (13.4% SL) among Malagasy Pachypanchax. Differs from Pachypanchax sakaramyi and Pachypanchax sparksorum by the absence of pectoral scales of reduced size. Can be distinguished from Pachypanchax omalonotus by the rounded dorsal and anal fins of males and their lack of discrete metallic gold spangling on the flanks; and also differs from the remaining Malagasy congeners by lack of iridescent white edging to, or darker submarginal banding on, the vertical fins (Ref. 57724).

Description: Dorsal- fin rays iii,8; iv,8; iii,9; iii,10; ii,11. Anal-fin rays iii,14; iii,15; ii,16; iii,16; ii,17. Pelvic- fin rays i,5. Pectoral- fin rays 14-16 (Ref. 57724).