This species of the Pseudoscopelus astronesthidens species group is distinguished within the group by a unique characteristic: teeth on basihyal and second basibranchial in 3 rows, 28-40 (vs. 2 rows, basihyal teeth 15-25). It is further distinguished from P. australis by the presence of rakers on first ceratobranchial (vs. none), palatine teeth in 2 rows, total teeth 16-26 (vs. single row, 10-16), and posteropreopercular photophores present (vs. absent), and precaudal-fin photophores U-shaped (vs. three pronged) (Ref. 85782).