Differs from its congeners by having elongate dorsal (21.2-26.7% SL) and pectoral (26.8-35.7% SL) spines. Differs from Pseudolaguvia foveolata in having a thoracic adhesive apparatus reaching beyond the base of the last pectoral-fin ray, a shorter caudal peduncle (12.6-15.7% SL vs. 20.7) and fewer vertebrae (28-30 vs. 33); from P. kapuri in having a shorter adipose-fin base (12.3-16.1% SL vs. 17.1-18.8); from P. ribeiroi in having a shorter caudal peduncle (12.6-15.7% SL vs. 16.4-18.2); and from P. inornata in having (vs. lacking) light brown patches on the body and a shorter caudal peduncle (12.6-15.7% SL vs. 16.3-19.0). Further differs from P. shawi in lacking a color pattern of strongly contrasting brown and yellow bands and in having a larger interorbital distance (31.4-36.7% HL vs. 23.4-29.6); from P. tenebricosa in having a shorter caudal peduncle (12.6-15.7% vs. 16.9-18.9); and from P. tuberculata in having a shorter adipose-fin base (12.3-16.1% SL vs. 16.8-22.7) and caudal peduncle (12.6-15.7% SL vs. 16.2-20.1) (Ref. 56233).