Distinguished from other species of Teleocichla, except T. centrarchus, by having four instead of three spines on anal fin. Diagnosed from Teleocichla centrarchus by having 56-62 scales in E1 series (vs. 64-69), smaller orbital diameter 24.6-30.2%, mean 28.2% of head length (vs. 30.8-34.8%, mean 33.5% of head length) and by having barred or zigzag color pattern on flanks (vs. longitudinal series of patches formed by small, dark irregular markings on midlateral area of flanks and on dorsum.). Can be separated from T. cinderella, by the absence (vs. presence) of small, dark irregular markings scattered on flanks; from T. centisquama, and T. monogramma, by having the anterior and posterior branches of the lateral line separated by one scale-row instead of a continuous lateral line; and from T. gephyrogramma by having 56-62 scales in E1 series (vs. 64-75) (Ref. 93336).