This species is distinguished by the following characters: D XIII,14-15; A II,14-15; pectoral-fin rays usually 17-18 (rarely 17); tubed lateral-line scales 17-19 (rarely 19); total gill rakers on first arch 22-24 (rarely 22); body depth 2.0-2.2 in SL; a patch of scales usually present on preorbital and a single row of scales on suborbital, continuing around posterior margin of eye; color in life generally gray to gray brown with thick black or dark-brown scale margins producing a network pattern; a black spot covers entire pectoral-fin base; inner side of pectoral-fin axil tannish to pale gray; median fins dark gray with translucent portion posteriorly showing conspicuous contrasting blackish rays; dorsal scleral surface of eye either uniform grayish or with a few blue markings. This species differs from other members of the philippinus species complex by the distinct color pattern features, particularly the obvious contrasting dark fin rays on the posterior sections of the dorsal, anal, and caudal fins; also differs from P. albiaxillaris, P. flavoaxillaris, and P. magniseptus in usually having at least a few scales on the preorbital (lacking in three of the many type specimens) (Ref, 114927).