This species is distinguished from its congener (Zanobatus schoenleinii) by the following combination of characters: dorsal surface of disc is brownish to reddish brown, with numerous dark brown blotches, and sometimes surrounded by a network of whitish dots; the ventral surface of disc is pale creamy white or orange-brown, with conspicuous dark brown posterolateral margins; the crown of dermal denticles of dorsal surface spearhead-shaped; dorsal surface with enlarged thorny denticles are more numerous and stronger, in parallel rows on trunk and in concentric semi-circular rows on pectoral fins; tooth rows in upper jaw 54-64 ; predorsal vertebrae 36-44 (mode 39) (Ref. 116736).