This species is distinguished from L. diapterus in having scales on the nape, but not covering entire top of head to posterior margin of the orbits, usually extending anteriorly only to the occipital pores, and in having lower dorsal-fin ray (usually 111 or fewer), anal-fin ray (usually 101 or fewer), vertebral (usually 119 or fewer), and gill raker (usually 15 or fewer) counts. It differs from L. hubbsi in pectoral-fin ray count (18-21 vs. 20-23), in the position of first dorsal-fin pterygiophore (sixth or seventh interneural gap vs. third), and color pattern (L. beringi without narrow light bands extending onto dorsal fin and across nape). It differs from the L. nakamurae group in having 4 postorbital pores (vs. 1 or 2), the posteriormost without a short tube; rounded lower pectoral-fin lobe with tips of the rays rounded and the middle rays often branched, fin membrane not incised (vs. pointed, with rays pointed and unbranched, membrane moderately incised); scales usually present on base of pectoral fin; light inverted V-shaped bands usually present on body (Ref. 80505).