The males of this species are distinguished from all its congeners by possessing an expansive cornucopia-shaped translucent lateral flank patch, while both sexes can be further distinguished from P. elongatus and P. rivulatus, by the more or less bullet-shaped flank patch; a deeper body 34.4-39.2 (vs. 12.5-29.7% of SL); and, vermiculate pigmentation pattern on the upper flank with thin wavy lines forming semi-circles and oval shapes (vs. larger rounded blotches). Both sexes of this species differ from P. leuciscus and P. klunzingeri, by the triangular flank patch; absence of a markedly elongate second dorsal-fin spine; and the vermiculate pigmentation pattern on the upper flank, with thin wavy lines forming semi-circles and oval shapes (vs. speckled). Adults of both sexes of also grow to a larger size than congeners, except P. leuciscus (Ref. 59114).