This species is distinguished from its only congener, P. rosenblatti, in having the following features: deeper body, 2.3 in SL (vs. 2.8 in SL); dorsal profile more strongly convex; pelvic fin origin anterior to (vs. posterior to) vertical through origin of dorsal fin, prepelvic length and pectoral fin are much shorter, the appressed fin falling short of (vs. reaching) lateral line; shorter pelvic fin, the appressed fin falling short of (vs. reaching well beyond) midpoint between pelvic and anal fin origins; eye and light organ smaller; longest dorsal-fin spine the second (vs. the seventh); first, second and sixth dorsal-fin spines longer; seventh dorsal-fin spine much shorter; pseudobranch filaments 38 (vs. ca. 27); scale rows along vertical between origin of dorsal fin and lateral line ca. 30 (vs. ca. 18); scale rows along body axis over 260 (vs. ca. 145); enlarged scales surrounding anal fin base 37 (vs. 21 at anal fin base); single row of enlarged cycloid, plate-like scales along the margin of gill cavity (vs. 2-3 irregular rows of small scales) (Ref. 91770).