Diagnosis: size small, body elongate; head length 4-7.6x SL; scale formula 3.5-4.5/46-50/-; 9-11.5 scales between posterior end of adipose and caudal fin base; 12-13 scales around caudal peduncle; 4 or 5 scales between anus and anal-fin origin; pectoral fins usually extending beyond pelvic-fin bases; pelvic fins not extending beyond anus; dorsal-fin origin behind level of pelvic-fin insertions; 9-10 anal fin branched rays; 11-12 dorsal fin branched rays; 12-13 pectoral fin branched rays; 8 pelvic fin branched rays; colour pattern different from other Nannocharax species; 3-4 cross-bars present on back; 3-5 spots along lateral line, connected or not by a dark, narrow, mid-lateral band (Ref. 2936, 86396).

Description: snout bluntly pointed; body elongate and low; small eyes; interorbital space wide (19.6-22.5% head length); head length 13.1-25.2% SL (Ref. 2936, 81279). 11 or 12 bicuspid teeth in upper jaw (Ref. 2936, 86396).

Coloration: brown line from snout tip to eye; 3-5 lenticular spots along lateral line joint or not by narrow, dark longitudinal band from gill cover to caudal-fin base; 3-4 cross-bars on back: 1st behind nape (not always distinct), 2nd at dorsal-fin origin, 3rd between dorsal and adipose fins, 4th just after adipose fin; fins colourless but often dark spot at base of each lobe of caudal fin (Ref. 2936, 86396).