This species can be distinguished from all congeners in the 'Gymnotus carapo group clade' by the following set of characters: unique set of characters of uncertain polarity, including the number of prominent dark bands along the body, dark bands along body 3-4 times wider than pale interbands, with almost straight margins (never broken anteriorly into irregular dark spots), and bands almost uniform in color; number of scales above lateral line; number of lateral-line perforated scales to first ventral ramus; number of total pored lateral-line scales; head length; snout length; body depth; number of anal-fin rays; number of pectoral-fin rays; number of precaudal vertebrae; number of teeth on anterior row of premaxilla; and number of teeth along outer row of dentary (Ref. 128926).