Similar to C. mucuryna (Brazil) and C. niederleinii (Paraná River) by the presence in young specimens of numerous narrow vertical bars along the side and which are replaced in adults by an irregular dark horizontal band. This species is distinguished by having a low number of scales in a lateral row 44-56 (vs. 57-63 in C. mucuryna and 56-65 in C. niederleinii. Differs from C. jaguarensis (Paraná River) by the presence of numerous narrow vertical bars in young specimens, lateral band in adults 2-3 scales wide and running close to upper lateral line vs. 1-1½ scales wide and distinctly separated from upper lateral line; its suborbital stripe usually short and narrow and individual spots making up the stripe recognizable vs. stripe wide, long and almost uniformly pigmented. Differs from C. jupiaensis (upper Paraná River) by lower jaw prognathous, vs. jaws isognathous; preopercular margin serrated vs. smooth; by colour pattern; C. jupiaensis not developing a lateral band. Differs from C. haroldoi (upper Paraná River) by caudal blotch present and distinct, vs. absent or indistinct; preopercle serrated vs. not serrated; black dots marking lateral line scales absent vs. present. Differs from C. yaha (Urugua-í basin) and C. iguassuensis (Iguazú basin), by the dark lateral band along the side vs. a row of dark blotches along the middle of the side. Differs from coastal species C. maculata, C. punctata, C. lacustris, C. tingui, and C. iguapina by larger scales in the E1 row, 44-56 vs. 56-75 (Ref. 80386).