Distinguished from Odontostilbe pulchra and Odontostilbe splendida by the presence of a remarkable elongation of the 2nd unbranched dorsal-fin ray in males (not found in males of Odontostilbe pulchra and short in males of Odontostilbe splendida). Males differ also by having longer snout length 26.7-30.6% HL (vs. 18.0-26.0% HL in Odontostilbe pulchra; 24.1-26.9% HL in Odontostilbe splendida) and longer upper jaw length 32.5-34.7% HL (vs. 27.1-31.8% HL in Odontostilbe pulchra; 29.1-31.5% HL in Odontostilbe splendida). Can be differentiated from Odontostilbe pulchra in having hooks on 1st to 8th anal-fin branched rays (vs. hooks on 1st to 22th anal-fin branched rays). Differs from Odontostilbe fugitiva by its gill raker counts on lower branch , averaging 11 (vs. usually 12). Can be differentiated from all other Odontostilbe species by the peculiar shape of the posterior portion of the maxilla, somewhat triangular, short, with midlength portion deeper and gradually narrowing to the posterior tip (vs. maxilla somewhat spatula-like shaped, short or elongate, with a deep midlength and posterior region, and then narrowing abruptly only at posterior tip in all other Odontostilbe species (Ref. 75063).

Description: Dorsal fin ii9; Anal fin iv, v, 18, 19, or 20; Pectoral fin i10, 11 or 12; Pelvic fin i6, 7. Precaudal vertebrae, including Weberian apparatus, 16 (Ref. 75063).