Differs from its congeners, except Pimelodus halisodous, Pimelodus joannis, Pimelodus ornatus and Pimelodus pictus, by having the following characters: distal portion of dorsal-fin rays 2-4 with a dark spot; just anterior to dorsal fin with dark transverse band; shorter distance between the posterior nostril and the anterior orbital border (posterior nostril closer to anterior orbital border. Can be separated from Pimelodus ornatus and Pimelodus pictus by its flank with uniform gray coloration lateral line with a light narrow band; from Pimelodus joannis by having a greater posterior cleithral-process length (12.7-15.6 vs. 10.2-12.4% of SL) and by lacking dark blotches on the caudal-fin base and from Pimelodus halisodous by a smaller pectoral- spine length (15.4-19.6 vs. 20.0-23.5% of SL); a shorter snout (36.1-40.9 vs. 43.1-47.9% of HL); and by having fewer rows of premaxillary teeth (5-8 vs. 13-16) (Ref. 79502).