This species is one of the least morphologically specialised species in the Galaxias olidus complex, differing only slightly from the typical ‘olidus’ morphology, but it can be distinguished from all other species within the complex by the following set of characters (and careful comparison with the description of the other species): interorbital is usually convex, very wide (35.5-53.8 % HL); nostrils of moderate length, non-visible from ventral view; dorsal midline is usually flattened anteriorly from above the pelvic fin bases; caudal peduncle flanges are long, almost reaching anal fin base; length of caudal fin about same as that of caudal peduncle; anal fin origin usually under 0.63 distance posteriorly along the dorsal fin base; pyloric caecae 1-2 moderately long (2.3 % SL) and very occasionally absent; gill rakers are short to moderately long, stout and sharply pointed; no distinct black bars along lateral line (Ref. 98815).