Key to the Gymnotus of the Upper Madeira based on external morphology
1a. Single laterosensory pore in the posterior corner of the preopercle, cylindrical body profile................. G. coropinae .
1b. Two laterosensory pores in the posterior corner of the preopercle, laterally-compressed body profile................... 2.
2a. Two to three of the anteriormost five pale interbands with both margins crescent-shaped..................... G. chaviro .
2b. Margins of all pale interbands straight or curved in parallel.................................................... 3.
3a. Long, shallow head; pale interbands greater than two-thirds width of dark bands....................... G. c. madeirensis .
3b. hort, deep head; pale bands less than two-thirds width of dark bands............................................ 4.
4a. Laterally compressed body......................................................................... G. eyra .
4b. Sub-cylindrical body.......................................................................... G. riberalta .