Diagnosed from all congeners, except Hyphessobrycon melanostichos, Hyphessobrycon notidanos and the species of the rosy tetra clade by the red or reddish pigmented body in live specimens. Distinguished from the species included in the rosy tetra clade in the number of teeth in the inner row of the premaxilla (4 or 5 vs. 7 to 12), and in the number of branched anal-fin rays (15-17 vs. 22-29); differs from Hyphessobrycon melanostichos by the absence of a conspicuous longitudinal broad black band beginning on the posterior margin of orbit and reaching the tip of middle caudal fin rays; from Hyphessobrycon notidanos by the lack of an elongated dorsal fin in mature males, in the number of dorsal-fin rays (ii,9 vs. iii,8), and number of perforated lateral-line scales (10-26 vs. 6-9) (Ref. 75059).

Description: Dorsal fin ii,9; Anal fin iii-iv,15-17; Pectoral fin i9-12; Pelvic fin i7 (Ref. 75059).