Agassiz’s Corydoras are often confused with other members of the same family because they are remarkably similar in appearance. This species is silver or transparent on the body and covered with small black spots. Some specimens also have a black band on the front edge of the dorsal fin or a splotch at its base near the back of the head. These fish can be distinguished from other Corydoras by the two rows of armored plates that run along the flanks – they also have fewer than ten dorsal fin rays.