This species can be diagnosed from other species of Centromochlus by having eye diameter less than 16% of Head Length (vs. 20-35%). It differs from C. heckelii, C. existimatus, C. altae, and C. perugiae by absence of anterior nuchal plate (vs. presence); from C. concolor, C. reticulatus, C. macracanthus, C. punctatus, and C. schultzi, by having smooth anterior margin of dorsal spine (vs. with serrae); and from C. romani by a trapezoid quadrate, with metapterygoid in contact with hyomandibula (vs. enlarged quadrate, interposed between metapterygoid and hyomandibula). It can be further distinguished from C. heckelii and C. existimatus by having pectoral-fin spine 20-25% of SL (vs. 29- 42%) and 6 branched anal-fin rays (vs. 4 or 5); and from all congeners, except C. perugiae and C. romani, by having male modified anal fin with enlarged third unbranched ray, about twice thicker than first unbranched ray (Ref. 94696).