Key to species of the genus Maratecoara

1a. 25–27 caudal-fin rays; anteroventral portion of flanks with three to five oblique orange bars; distal portion of anal fin without distinctive bright blue zone........................................................................................... 2

1b. 27–30 caudal-fin rays; anteroventral portion of flanks with broad orange blotch just posterior to pectoralfin insertion; distal portion of anal fin with broad bright blue zone in males .............................. M. lacortei

2a. Scales extending onto dorsal and anal-fin bases in males; dorsal profile of head strongly concave in adult males; few pale orange spots on basal half of anal fin and flank region adjacent to anal fin, often absent; basal half of caudal fin with vertical rows of orange spots in males ........................................... M. formosa

2b. No scales on dorsal and anal-fin bases in males; dorsal profile of head straight to slightly concave in adult males; conspicuous orange spots on basal half of anal fin and flank region adjacent to anal fin; basal half of caudal fin with orange stripes parallel to fin rays in males .................................................. M. splendida