This species is distinguished from all other species within the Galaxias olidus complex by the following characters: long dorsal and anal fin bases (11.2-12.4 and 10.6-12.1 % SL, respectively); long dorsal and anal fins, with the dorsal fin and base lengths longer than that of anal fin; eye relatively small (14.9-18.4 % HL); gape narrow (50.6-63.7 % HW); body depth through pectoral fin base is only slightly greater (108.7 %) than depth through vent; nostrils are moderately long, usually just visible anterio-laterally from ventral view; eyes are well below dorsal head profile; most posterior extent of the mouth usually 0.9 eye diameter below ventral margin of eye; caudal peduncle flanges are distinctive, long and also extend along outer rays onto caudal fin; caudal fin emarginate to almost truncate; usually with 10 segmented anal fin rays; total gill rakers on first arch 11; gill rakers moderately long; pyloric caecae often 1, sometimes 2, thin and pointed of moderate length (2.2 % SL), very occasionally absent; anal fin origin usually under 0.58 distance posteriorly along dorsal fin base; no black bars along lateral line (Ref. 98815).