This species is distinguished from its congeners except P. britzi by having fewer maxillary teeth 21-27 mode 23 (vs. 27-58, modes 29, 35, 36, 39, 42); differs from P. britzi by the fewer branched anal-fin rays 18-23, mode 20 (vs. 22-27, modes 25 and 26) and the colour pattern, melanophores in different parts of the head, on the pelvic-fin base and forming a vertical black line extending from vent along the anterior portion of the first anal-fin pterygiophore (vs. body mostly translucent, with pattern consisting of melanophores forming thin lines along posterior portion of anal-fin base); further differs from P. nanus and P. varii by pelvic-fin rays i,5 (vs. i,6); differs from P. ariel and P. varii by fewer dentary teeth 27-36 (vs. 35-55 and 37-46, respectively); differs from P. nanus and P. toledopizae by the absence of the claustrum (vs. presence) (Ref. 128833).