The Bali and Lombok population was recently described as a separate species as P. steenei on the bases of color differences. The white bar behind the eye, used to distinguish the species, fades in the Philippine and northern Australian populations, while in Sulawesi, it shows clearly. The ones with the orange head are thought to be male.

Description: Characterized by male yellow-orange color; middle of central body scales with dark spot; rear corner of gill cover with eye-sized dark spot; female entirely dark brown color; anterior lateral line scales 32-38; predorsal scales 15-20; depth of body 28.9-32.0 % of SL (Ref. 90102).