Distinguished from other species of Hemiodus by its high body (27.1-35.3%, average 32.3% SL vs. 18.8-28.5% in remaining species). Other diagnostic characters include the following: presence of a large lateral dark spot that is equal to, or greater than, the eye diameter (vs. smaller in remaining species except for Hemiodus microlepis); absence of conspicuous lateral stripe or transverse bands; 68-74 scales on lateral line (vs. 94-123 in Hemiodus argenteus, 124-148 in Hemiodus microlepis, 86-99 in Hemiodus orthonops and 77-92 in Hemiodus parnaguae). Differs from Hemiodus unimaculatus (which overlaps in the number of lateral line scales) by having 9-10 scales between the lateral line and the pelvic fin origin (vs. 4-7), which are similar sized above and below lateral line (vs. scales larger bellow the lateral line in Hemiodus unimaculatus) (Ref. 91067).

Description: Dorsal-fin rays ii, 9; Anal-fin rays ii, 9-11; pectoral fin rays i, 17-19; pelvic fin rays i, 10-11 (Ref. 91067).