This species can reach a length of 16 centimetres (6.3 in) SL.

Juveniles are brightly colored but become darker when mature, especially for males.

In their natural habitats, the bumblebee cichlid is a cleaner specialized in feeding on parasites from larger fish particularly the catfish Bagrus meridionalis,[2] which apparently recognises the species as a cleaner.

Notable is that P. crabro has also been found preying upon the eggs of the Bagrus meridionalis, but will change colour to a dark brown while doing so.

In the wild, the bumblebee cichlid is a specialized eater, but in aquarium they can eat whatever that is fed to them.