This species is similar to M. heterostigma and M. ortegai / M.quiii by the presence of oblique rows of red brown dots on the sides of body in males (vs. absence) and it differs from these species by having a short pectoral fin in males, reaching pelvic fin origin (vs. long pectoral fin, reaching up to seventh anal fin ray); differs from its congeners by the following set of characters - greater numbers of scales in the lateral 40-42 (vs. 32-39), transverse scale series 11-12 (vs. 8-10), circumpeduncular series 22 (vs. 14-20) and, in males, the anal fin with large areas dark yellow and broad orange margin on ventral and posterior portions of caudal fin (vs. brown) (Ref. 130493).