Diagnosis: posterior tip of upper jaw extending to below posterior margin of eye or beyond (Ref. 57403), 79590). 63-136 long, slender, unicuspid setiform teeth on each half (left and right) of upper jaw, with alternate teeth usually staggered in 2 rows (although it may be difficult to easily distinguish these rows as separate)(Ref. 79590), not separated by median tubercle (Ref. 57403, 79590).

Description: upper lip smooth, with a median notch but no distinct median tubercle (fleshy swelling); each half of lower jaw usually bears 4-9 caniniform teeth and 40-50 labial teeth (although a single individual that appears to be S. brevifile has 2 caniniform and 35 labial teeth on each half of lower jaw); in adults, anterior labial teeth, attached to opposite halves of lower jaw, separated broadly by a wide projection of soft tissue at dentary symphysis; 17-25 cycloid predorsal scales on nape; 53-66 scales in longitudinal series (including 2-3 scales on caudal fin base); 17-24 scales in rearward transverse series; abdomen covered by cycloid scales; 1st dorsal fin VI, 2nd dorsal fin I-10, anal fin I-10, pectoral fin 18-21 (usually 20 or 21), caudal fin with 17-18 segmented rays, 13-15 of which are branched; preopercular canal incorporating 3 pores (Ref. 79590).

Coloration: Preserved adult specimens: dark brown on body and may be irregularly freckled with small spots (postlarvae and early juveniles may have about 7 faint bars on flanks); cheek and opercle with small speckles and some striations; dorsal fins dark; anal fin faintly speckled except near tips of rays, which are darker; caudal fin dusky, slightly darker along dorsal margin; pectoral fin dusky with 2 vague rows of darkish spots near base, and dark tips to fin rays (Ref. 79590). In life: pelvic fin red at base; caudal fin with reddish/orange bands along posterior and upper margin; anal fin with orange/salmon distal margin (Ref. 79590).