This species is distinguished from its congeners, except P. monachal, by the presence of type 3 gill rakers on the anterior edge of ceratobranchials 2-4 (vs. type 1b gill rakers along the anterior edge of ceratobranchials 2-4). Differs from members of the Leptorhaphis species group by the following set of characters: inner row of dentary and premaxilla with 7-10 weakly tricuspid teeth; 6 or 7 pores in preopercular portion of preoperculo-mandibular lateral line canal; single ossification of the scleral cartilage (posterior sclerosis). Colouration: horizontal dashed line of 15-17 small dark brown spots extending along the posterior two-thirds of the body; no black spot at the base of the anterior part of the dorsal fin (Ref. 128004).