This species of the subgenus Photonectes is distinguished by the following set of characters: dorsal- and anal-fin rays are not covered with black fleshy skin; no pectoral fins; pelvic fins inserted closer to the caudal-fin base; IV photophores 34; and IP photophores begin halfway posteriorly on the isthmus; dffers from all other species in the subgenus except Photonectes mirabilis by having a barbel with a small side-branch on the terminal filament; differs from P. mirabilis with gill filaments 'normal' (vs. very reduced), the jaw teeth variable length (vs. short) canines, anal-fin rays 16 (vs. 19-20), blue luminous tissue absent (vs. present), light organs inside the lower jaw absent (vs. three pairs) (Ref. 87305).