Cynolebias ochraceus can be diagnosed from C. gilbertoi, the only other member of the C. gilbertoi group, by having 33 vertebrae (vs. 31-32), flank light yellow ochre and anal fin orange-yellow ochre in males (vs. flank pale pinkish brown or light brown, anal fin pink or pinkish grey), and tip of anal-fin filaments reaching basal portion of caudal fin in males (vs. reaching posterior half of caudal fin). It can be further distinguished from C. gilbertoi by having 29-31 caudal-fin rays (vs. 26-29) and 9-12 vomerine teeth (vs.11-16), body depth 35.0-37.8% SL in males (vs. 32.5-35.4% SL), and larger maximum adult size (5.7 cm SL vs. 3.7 cm SL) (Ref. 97357).