This species is similar to Nothobranchius korthausae and distinguished from the remaining congeners by the combination of caudal fin with transverse bars, dorsal and anal fins with white distal margin, and a blue blotch on the distal portion of the pectoral in males (Ref. 83284). It is distinguished from N. korthausae by having minute horizontally elongated dark gray spots on the posterior portion of the pectoral fin in males, absence of subdistal black bars on the unpaired fins in males, absence of white distal margin on the caudal fin in males, 7-9 reddish brown bars on the anal fin in males, 27-29 caudal fin rays, and main condyle of the second pharyngobranchial straight (Ref. 83284). Dorsal profile convex from snout to end of dorsal-fin base, nearly straight to slightly concave on caudal peduncle; ventral profile gently convex from lower jaw to end of anal-fin base, approximately straight on caudal peduncle; body slender, compressed, greatest body depth at level of pelvic-fin base (Ref. 83284). Extremity of dorsal and anal fins rounded, posteriorly reaching caudal-fin base; short filamentous rays along distal margin of dorsal and anal fins; caudal fin subtruncate; pectoral fin approximately triangular, tip reaching vertical between pelvic-fin base and anus (Ref. 83284). Frontal squamation G-patterned; E-scales overlapping medially; no row of scales anterior to G-scale; no supraorbital scales (Ref. 83284).