This species differs from the other species of the Betta pugnax group by having the following combination of characters: rounded caudal-fin; no chin bar and second postorbital stripe; male coloration with intensive blue or bluish-green iridescent (blackish when preserved) area on head sides and on throat from snout tip to posterior edge of opercle; short second central stripe fused with the central stripe above anterior part of anal fin (Ref. 82661).