Differs from P. argentilineatus by lacking thin silvery bars ventrally on the sides and having pelvic fins connected at the base by a low membrane (Ref. 37816); further characterized by: frenum of pelvic fins vestigial, but visible macroscopically; pelvic fins united by membrane for about one half their length; D1 height moderate, its margin rounded, black stripe inframarginally with numerous white spots proximally, no elongate spines; D2 with single dusky stripe inframarginally; dorsal fins not connected by membrane; D1 with 11-15 spines; longitudinal scale count 66-86; head width 16.5-22.5% SL; pelvic fin length 13.1-15.4% SL; length of anal fin base 15.9-18.7% SL; length ofD2 base 18.5-23.8% SL; total D2 elements 12-13; total analfin elements 11-12; TRDB 18-22 (Ref. 5218).