This species of the Pseudoscopelus altipinnis species group is distinct from P. altipinnis by dentition and photophore pattern: innermost teeth of mesial rows of premaxilla and dentary elongate, when mouth is closed and premaxilla is retracted reach the medial border of the contralateral premaxilla (vs. not extremely elongated and premaxilla is retracted teeth do not reach the medial border of premaxilla of the other side); teeth of mesial row of premaxilla and internal most row of dentary straight (vs. teeth of mesial row of premaxilla and internal-most row of dentary slightly curved); mesial series of premaxillary teeth arranged in transverse rows of one to three rows of teeth (vs. mesial series of premaxillary teeth arranged in transverse rows of one to five rows of teeth) (Ref. 85782).