This species can be distinguished from R. annulatus by the following set of characters: by having a uniformaly dark caudal peduncle band; wide subdorsal band; fewer number of total vertebrate; greater distance between the pelvic-fin and anus; and, shorter distance between the anus and anal fin. It further differs from R. epiblepsis by the pointed caudal-fin lobes (vs. rounded lobes) and few dark body spots present (vs. many body spots of less intense pigmentation). Additionally, it differs from R. seminiger by having distinctly separated subdorsal and subadipose bands (vs. fused bands), continuity between dark pigmentation on the caudal-fin lobes (vs. separation of the pigmentation on those lobes) and discrete, dark transverse pectoral and pelvic-fin stripes present (vs. fins largely uniformly dark). It can be differentiated from R. pulcher by lacking dorsal and ventral confluence between the dark subdorsal and subadipose bands (vs. dorsal and ventral continuity of those bands), no confluence between subadipose and caudal-peduncle bands (vs. dorsal and ventral continuity of those bands), and fewer number of total vertebrae (31-33 vs. 33-35) (Ref. 128485).