Diagnosed from its closest congener, Badis badis in possessing the following combination of characters: two (vs. three) predorsal bones; small oval (vs. large rectangular) black blotch in the mid-base of caudal fin; more interorbital width (9.9-15.0 vs. 6.5-8.3% SL); shorter upper jaw (6.1-6.9 vs.8.2-10.2% SL) and lower jaw (7.1-8.3 vs. 11.3-14.5% SL). Can be differentiated from Badis kanabos in having smaller eye diameter (7.6-9.4 vs. 9.5-12.7% SL); and from Badis tuivaiei in having vertebrae 27 (vs. 31), more interorbital width (9.9-15.0 vs. 5.6-7.2% SL), and shorter upper jaw (6.1-6.9 vs. 8.5-10.4% SL). Distinguished from all three mentioned species by the absence (vs. presence) of dark black or brown vertical bars on sides (Ref. 83458).

Description: lateral scale rows 25-29; lateral scale count 19/4 - 22/5; lateral transverse scales 1½/1/6 (Ref. 83458).