Distinguished from all other members of Hypsolebias flavicaudatus complex, except H. flagellatus and H. radiseriatus, by having more anal-fin filaments in males (6-8 vs. 4-5). Differs from H. flagellatus by having longer dorsal-fin base in males (36.0-41.4% SL vs. 41.4-45.3% SL) and yellow zone of anal fin in males restricted to the posterior portion of the fin (vs. occupying more than half horizontal length of fin), and from H. radiseriatus by the absence of a triangular bluish white spot on the antero-basal portion and short blue to golden lines of the distal portion of the dorsal fin in males (vs. presence). Can be further diagnosed from H. flavicaudatus, H. gilbertobrasili and H. guanambi by having short stripes on the anterior part of the dorsal fin in males (vs. dots); and from H. sertanejo, H. janaubensis and H. nitens by the absence of elongate spots on the postero-basal portion of the dorsal fin in males (vs. presence). Often distinguished from other congeners in having the dorsal and anal fins longer in males, with tips excluding filaments reaching middle of the caudal fin (vs. reaching basal portion of the fin) and seems to be the largest species of the H. flavicaudatus complex, with males often reaching between about 55 and 65 mm SL (vs. maximum size about 50 mm SL) (Ref. 89836).