Large scales with dark centres form indistinct narrow stripes along body, tapering to smaller dots on rear body and underside, similar to P. multiradiata. Dusky fin tips and tail margins. Some authors consider P. molucca the same as P. malabarica, but the latter is apparently not known from Australian waters. Despite uncertain identity, this species appears distinct from the other species found along the Western Australian coast.

• Max Size: 15 cm
• Sea Temperature Range: 21.4-29.8°C
• Habitat: Coral Reef, Rocky Reef
• Habitat Generalisation Index: 4.1
  Also referred to as the SGI (Species generalisation index), this describes the habitat niche breadth of the species. Species with values less than 15 are found in a relatively narrow range of reef habitat types (specialists), while those over 25 may be found on most hard substrates within their range (generalists). Learn more here

• IUCN Threat Status: Not Evaluated
• Occurrence: Frequent (10% of sites)
  Occurrence describes how often the species is found on surveys within its distribution. It is calculated as the % of reef sites surveyed by RLS divers across all the ecoregions in which the species has been observed
• Abundance: Several (6 per transect)
  Abundance is calculated as the average number of individuals recorded per RLS transect, where present.