This species differs from all members of the genus Microglanis by having a forked caudal fin with a deep notch between upper and lower lobes, two pale juxtaposed and elliptical spots in the supraoccipital region, and length of the adipose-fin base 13.1-16.6% of SL. It can be separated from other species by the following morphometric characters: length of the head 27.4-30.0% of SL (vs. 24.7-26.4% in M. carlae; 23.9-25.1% in M. iheringi; 23.0-26.1% in M. parahybae; 23.0-25.4% in M. pataxo; 23.5-26.3% in M. robustus); eye diameter 8.0-9.9% of HL (vs. 12.4-17.6% in M. variegatus); interorbital distance 40.4-44.2% of HL (vs. 45.9-51.5% in M. cottoides; 46.5-49.8% in M. leptostriatus; 46.6-48.6% in M. malabarbai; 38.1-39.1% in M. pellopterygius; 50.9-53.1% in M. poecilus); mouth width 38.0-47.3% of HL (vs. 19.0-25.8% in M. cibelae; 17.5-21.9% in M. garavelloi; 20.1-22.6% in M. nigripinnis); predorsal length 35.5-38.6% of SL (vs. 38.9-46.2% in M. eurystoma); lateral line pores 6-8 (vs. 9 in M. ater and M. secundus); principal caudal rays 15 (vs. 14 in M. zonatus) (Ref. 94156).