Diagnosis: This species is distinguished from all other Hylopanchax species except for Hylopanchax ndeko, by the position of the dorsal fin (D/A = 8-10 vs. D/A = 11-14), the number of dorsal fin rays (11-13 vs. 6-9), the number of pectoral fin rays (11-13 vs. 8-10), the number of transversal scales (19-20 vs. 15-16), by its deep body (29.2-35.5% of standard length vs. 16.3-25.6% of standard length), by the low caudal peduncle ration (1.2-1.7 vs. 1.6-2.4), and by having 2 or 3 rows of scales underneath the eye versus 1 row of scales; it has also longer dorsal spines of vertebrae at mid-body versus short dorsal spines with lower length differences between mid-body and anterior or posterior spines (Ref. 94189). It is distinguished from Hylopanchax ndeko by having fewer scales in the longitudinal series (m21-23 vs. 24-26), prominent lobes of the supra-temporal neuromast system and male colour pattern; snout, lower jaw, and anterior part of throat dark orange versus yellow snout and lower jaw and white throat in H. ndeko; flanks just below dorsal fin with orange shine versus purple shine, dorsal and anal fin dark orange versus yellow anal and dorsal fin with a red distal submarginal stripe and a nearly transparent margin, white edged caudal fin olive brown with orange shine versus white edged blue caudal fin (Ref. 94189).

Description: A large and deep Hylopanchax species, laterally strongly compressed; dorsal profile convex, slightly concave at nape; greatest body depth between pelvic and anal fin; ventral profile convex from head to end of anal fin; snout rounded, mouth directed upwards; lower jaw longer than upper jaw; on both jaws an outer row of larger, slightly curved conical teeth, inner teeth row more irregular arranged with smaller teeth; symphysis forming a ridge on lower and less on upper jaw; branchiostegal appendages present in adult males (Ref. 94189). Frontal or nasal neuromasts not present, one pre-orbital neuromast in short shallow open groove; post-orbital and supra-orbital neuromast system provided with large neuromasts and large lobes, covering a great part of the groove; pre-opercular neuromast system with 5 pores; lobes of supra-temporal neuromast system very prominent (Ref. 94189). Scales cycloid, body completely scaled except ventral head surface, two to three rows of scales underneath the eye, frontal squamation of G-type, no scales on dorsal and anal fin base, scales on mid longitudinal series 21-23 (Ref. 94189). Number of dorsal fin rays 11-13, anal fin rays 18-20, caudal fin rays 24-27, pelvic fin rays 6, pectoral fin rays 11-13; first dorsal fin ray above anal fin ray 8-10 (Ref. 94189).

Colouration: Males have back olive brown changing to orange below dorsal fin, flanks silverish with light green shine, changing to white on ventral side, snout and lower jaw orange; flanks with four to five rows of scales anteriorly edged with black crescent shaped markings; median fins and pelvic fins orange; caudal fin with posterior white edge; pectoral fins translucent; narrow black band along base of anal fin; urogenital papilla black (Ref. 94189). No information on live colouration is available for females (Ref. 94189).