The lack of triangular patch of dark pigmentation at the anterior dorsal-fin base separates this species from all congeners (except Parotocinclus collinsae) of the Guyana Shield, Amazonas and Orinoco basin. Can be distinguished from Parotocinclus collinsae by the absence of the accessory teeth on the premaxilla and dentary. Diagnosed from all congeners of the Atlantic coastal basins of southeastern and eastern Brazil by having the branched rays and interradial membranes of the pectoral and pelvic fins unpigmented in ventral view; the rostral plate not exposed ventrally (except Parotocinclus bahiensis, Parotocinclus spilurus and Parotocinclus prata). Differs from most species of Parotocinclus, except Parotocinclus cristatus and Parotocinclus cesarpintoi, by having a tuft of hypertrophied odontodes on the supraoccipital and extensively naked abdomen in adults, with a mosaic of few rounded platelets of irregular size and distributed over the pre-anal region (except Parotocinclus bahiensis, Parotocinclus minutus, Parotocinclus spilosoma, Parotocinclus cearensis, Parotocinclus cesarpintoi, and Parotocinclus prata). Additional characters useful the identification include: pectoral girdle exposed medial and laterally; plates between anal and caudal fins 10; body depth 16.1-18.6% SL; orbital diameter 14.8-19.3% HL; all paired

ribs associated with connective tissues of vertebrae; and abdominal lateral plates 2-4 (Ref. 81204).

Description: Vertebrae 22, not including those into the Weberian complex (Ref, 81204).