This species is diistinguished from P. waigiensis by the following set of characters: whole of head and body dense black or brownish colour; pored lateral-line scales same colour of other scales of body, not yellow-edged like P. waigiensis, same dark colour persisting even in preserved specimens; pored lateral-line scales, 49-54; hind margin of maxilla reaching vertically beyond center of eye when mouth is closed; pelvic-fin spine slightly longer than 4th dorsal spine; circumpeduncular scales 25-26; shallower body depth, 23-30% (mean 28%) of SL; greater number of scale rows above and below lateral line 6½ / 11½-12½; gill rakers 7 (including 6 rudiments) + 1 + (12-14 (3-4 rudiments) = 20-24 (9-10 rudiments); last dorsal-fin spine / penultimate dorsal-fin spine 0.9-1.1 (Ref. 124584).