In comparison with other members of the B. pugnax species group, this can be differentiated by the following combination of characters: presence of chin-bar; absence of dark marks below postorbital stripe on opercle; presence of dorsal transverse bars; caudal transverse bars present only in male; greenish iridescent scales on opercle and body; anal fin with red subdistal border and black edge; caudal fin without distal dark edge; anal-fin rays 24-28 (mode 26); lateral scales 28-30 (mode 29); postdorsal scales 10-11 (mode 10); pelvic fin length 29.1-53.2% SL; head length 32.7-37.6% SL; inter-orbital width 34.3-41.8% HL (Ref. 56613).