Body yellowish-brown with relatively few, large, diffuse-edged, rusty-brown spots; collar-like saddle over gill region extremely faint. Head relatively large (length greater than 16% TL). Eyes large (horizontal diameter >11% HL). Pectoral fin large, anterior margin at least 10% TL. Dorsal fins relatively tall, erect with angular apices. Upper jaw with 43-49 teeth rows. Differs from P. ferrugineum and the more heavily spotted "P. multimaculatum" morph by having a larger eye (versus <11% HL); slightly more than tooth rows (versus 38-41); fewer and much paler spots on the body ; and more erect and angular dorsal fins (Ref. 41629).