Crenicichla lucenai belongs to the Crenicichla punctata species group which differs from the C. wallacii group by the absence of pterotic serrations (vs. present in C. wallacii group); from the C. lugubris and C. acutirostris groups by having E1 row scales counts 47-76 (vs. more than 100 and 76-111, respectively); from the C. saxatilis group by the absence of humeral ocellus (vs. presence); from the C. reticulata group by having 3-5 depressible teeth rows (vs. often with fewer and more firmly implanted teeth); from C. macrophthalma by having predorsal scales cycloid (vs. predorsal scales ctenoid), normal size eyes (vs. extremely large eyes) and lateral line scales with same coloration as adjacent flank scales (vs. lateral line scales differently colored than adjacent flank scales); from the C. missioneira group by having preopercle margin serrated (vs. smooth); from the C. scottiigroup by having maxilla just reaching to the vertical anterior of orbit (vs. beyond the same vertical); from C. vittata by having 47-76 E1 row scales (vs. 78-85); from C. mucuryna and from the C. mandelburgeri species group by having wide bars on flank (vs. narrow bars), and presence of spots on flank (vs. absence); from C. iguapina, C. tinguiand C. lacustris by having a row of blotches on flank (vs. continuous lateral band). Crenicichla lucenai differs from both C. punctata and C. maculata by its conspicuous pattern of dark brown irregular lines extending from longitudinal stripe to ventral profile (vs. irregular lines absent); also from C. puncatata by lacking dots on sides of head (vs. presence) (Ref. 95826).