Can adopt three basic color patterns: mottled grey and brown, dark brown, or grey with a network of close-set polygonal spots. All have a small white spot at the rear base of the second dorsal fin and sometimes the anal fin.

Description: Characterized further by first dorsal spine nearly equal to length of snout, above front half of eye and partially fitting into groove on back; side of caudal peduncle with dense patch of setae in adult male; concave dorsal profile of snout; rounded caudal fin; depth of body at origin of anal fin 2.1-2.3 in SL (Ref. 90102).