Cynopoecilus notabilis can be readily differentiated from all members of the Cynopoecilina by the following characters: 20-23 dorsal-fin rays; 29-31 scales in a longitudinal series; 10-11 transverse series of scales between the dorsal and pelvic-fin origins; and the broad and approximately straight proximal portion of the epural and parhypural. It differs from other members

of the Cynopoecilina, except for the species of Leptolebias, by having an elliptical to lanceolate caudal fin, much longer than deep. It is distinguished from all congeners by the position of the second proximal radial of the dorsal fin between the 8th and 9th vertebrae. Additional characters useful for the identification of C. notabilis from congeners include: dorsal-fin origin at the vertical through the pelvic-fin origin in males (vs. dorsal fin origin at the vertical through the genital bulb); dorsal-fin origin at the vertical through the midlength of the pelvic fin in females (vs. the dorsal-fin origin at the vertical through the anus); anal-fin origin at the vertical between the bases of the 7th and 8th dorsal-fin rays in males (vs. the anal-fin origin at the vertical between the bases of the 2nd and 3rd dorsal-fin rays); presence of a mid-lateral longitudinal black stripe on the head in males, with stripe passing close to the ventral border of eye and united to the lower black lateral body stripe at the pectoral-fin base and continuing anteriorly in a straight line reaching the articulation of the lower jaw (vs. absence of such stripe); ‘V’-shaped mark ventrally on the head, along the ventral margins of dentary in both sexes) (vs. absence of this mark); red brown stripe covering the base of all dorsal-fin rays and limited dorsally by a light yellow line in males (vs. the dorsal fins spotted at its base); nine or ten vertical bars from the region immediately posterior to the opercle to the caudal peduncle in females (vs. the lateral surface of the body with a broad black stripe or black marks); and black distal portion of the pelvic fin in males (vs. pelvic fin brownish grey or dark grey) (Ref. 98301).