This species can be distinguished from all it congeners by having the dark subdorsal and subadipose bands seamlessly conjoined (vs. completely separate or joined only dorsally and ventrally by narrow horizontal connecting extensions). It further differs from R. annulatus by a uniformly dark caudal-peduncle band (vs. band with an unpigmented central section) and 32-33 total vertebrae (vs. 34-35). It also differs from R. pulcher by fewer total vertebrate count (32-33 vs. 34-55). Additionally, it differs from R. epiblepsis by the pointed caudal-fin lobes (vs. rounded lobes), absence of very dark spots on the body (vs. such spotting) and faint serrations limited to the base of the anterior margin of the pectoral-fin spine (vs. well-developed serrations along the entire anterior margin) (Ref. 128485).