This species is distinguished from its congeners by the following set of characters: lateral line complete with 33-36 + 1-2 pored scales; scales on transverse line ½ 6/1/2-2 ½ and on caudal peduncle ½ 4/1/1 ½ scales; body depth 27.2-29.8% SL; pelvic-fin length 20.5-25.2 %SL in adults, and longer in juveniles, but not extending beyond origin of anal fin; tuberculation on lower jaw dense, reaching backwards beyond level of anterior orbit (Ref. 75997). It is distinguished from its Sri Lankan congeners by having a rounded cleithral spot whose greatest dimension is less than the eye diameter; distinct neuromast fields on the lower jaw; unbranched pelvic-fin ray when adpressed usually reaching beyond the anal-fin origin; usually circumpeduncular scales 12-14 and lateral-line scales 33-36; differs from L. varuna in having the round (vs. vertically elongate) cleithral spot (Ref. 127713).

Description: Dorsal fin with 2 simple and 8½ or 9½ branched rays; anal fin with 3 simple and 16½ -20½ branched rays; pectoral fin with one unbranched and 10 or 11 branched rays; and pelvic fin with 1 unbranched and 5 branched rays (Ref. 75997).