This species is distinguished from all other synbranchids except Ophisternon infernale,

O. candidum, Monopterus boueti, M. luticolus, M. eapeni, M. roseni, and M. digressus in having tiny eyes which are covered by skin that are barely visible externally and by the lack of skin pigmentation. It differs from the seven species by having 92+69=161 vertebrae (vs. 67+72=139 in Ophisternon infernale, 51-54+109-111=162-163 in O. candidum, 108 + 79-86 = 187-194 in M. boueti, 95-102+98-110=198-208 in M. luticolus, 135+24=159 in M. eapeni, 76+71=147 in M. roseni, and 86-88+80-82=166-170 in M. digressus); differs further from M. boueti and M. luticolus in having the shoulder girdle articulating with the skull, with the posttemporal contacting the epiotic and supracleithrum (vs. cleithrum and supracleithrum posteriorly displaced and the posttemporal separated from the supracleithrum and epiotic) (Ref. 118582).