This species is distinguished from most of its congeners by the number of branched anal-fin rays (25-29 vs. 15-24); with species sharing similar lateral line counts, it differs from H. boquiae by the number of scale rows above lateral line (8 vs. 6-7), and by the total number of vertebrae (39-41 vs. 41-43); from H. brevispini by the number of cusps of three anteriormost dentary teeth (5 vs. 3), and by absence of bony hooks in the caudal-fin rays of males (vs. presence); from H. cairoense, H. huambonicus and H. polyodon by the number of lateral line scales (40-42 vs. 43-46, 44-48 and 42-45, respectively); from H. dariensis by the number of cusps of second tooth of premaxillary inner row teeth (5 vs. 7), and by the absence of pigment in the distal tip of rays just above and below to middle caudal-fin rays; from H. divisorensis and H. surinamensis by the absence of a wide black asymmetrical spot covering base of caudal-fin rays; from H. inambari by the number of scales along anal-fin base scale sheath (10-15 vs. 6-10); from H. jabonero by the number of caudal peduncle scales (16 vs. 14); from H. jelskii by the size of humeral spot (over 4-5 vs. 7-9 horizontal series of scales); from H. metae by the number of cusps of second tooth of premaxillary inner row teeth (5 vs. 7); from H. quindos by the number of scale rows above lateral line (8 vs. 5-7); from H. raqueliae by the number of predorsal scales (15-19 vs. 10-13) and by the number of cusps of first maxillary tooth (3 vs. 5) (Ref. 85819).