Differs from P. labeamajor in having only 5 (instead of 6) stripes between lateral line scale row and dorsal fin base; lips not enlarged, free posterior margin of lower lip interrupted at midline; large adults without mentum; maxillary barbel invariably well developed, length one-third or more of eye diameter. The only species in which body stripes may extend to every scale row, but this only occurs in some larger and more darkly pigmented individuals. P. labeamajor and P. labeaminor have no more than three stripes below lateral line scale row, and the abdomen is uniformly white. Adults and larger juveniles of P. jullieni usually have much more red and sometimes yellow coloration on head, body, and fins than the other two species. Scale rows between lateral line scale row and pelvic fin 4.