This species is distinguished from all other species within the Galaxias olidus complex by the following characters: segmented pelvic fin rays 8; high vertebral count 55; head length about as long as pelvic fin to anal fin length distance; dorsal and anal fin are bases relatively long (9.9-13.0 and 11.0-12.5 % SL, respectively); snout long (27.0-33.7 % HL), post-orbital head length short (48.9-55.2 % HL); inter-orbital relatively wide (38.6-44.8 % HL); nostrils of moderate length and not visible from ventral view; pelvic fins moderately short (8.9-10.8 % SL); caudal peduncle relatively shallow (7.2–8.1 % SL), it is longer than length of caudal fin, the flanges moderately developed and longish, reaching to or anteriorly past distal end of adpressed anal fin rays; dorsal midline is usually quite broadly flat anteriorly from above pelvic fin bases; raised laminae on ventral surface of paired fins is sometimes evident though not strongly developed; gill rakers short and stout; no pyloric caecae; anal fin origin often under 0.53 distance posteriorly along dorsal fin base; no distinct black bars along lateral line (Ref. 98815).