Color brown with about 4 longitudinal rows of dendritic black blotches; very fine white scribbling anteriorly on body and fins; behind eye an irregular black spot bordered above and below by white; pores on side of jaws in large white spots. Juveniles distinctly marked on the head and adults plain brown, but showing black barring posteriorly on the dorsal and anal fins on the tail (Ref. 48635).

Description: Characterized by body depth at gill opening 15-21 in TL; origin of dorsal fin closer to gill opening than corner of mouth; anus anterior to middle of body; preanal length 2.2-2.3 in TL; jaws with single row of canine teeth anteriorly; two elongate median canines in upper jaw; small sharp teeth on side of jaw, upper often with inner row of smaller canines (Ref. 90102).