This species is characterized by the following: D V,20-21 (usually 21); A I,16-18; 13-15 (rarely 13, usually 14) pectoral rays; 38-43 lateral-line scales; about 2-4 + 7-10 gill rakers; about 4 predorsal scales; ctenoid scales on cheek, in 4 horizontal rows; front of lower jaw with 8 canine teeth; vomerine teeth a broad chevron-shaped patch; with palatine teeth; upper edge of subopercle with a prominent sharp spine; serrae on opercular bones absent; body depth 4.15-4.75 in SL (21.20-24.1% SL); middle dorsal spine longest; membrane from last dorsal spine joined near base of first soft ray; body gray to reddish dorsally, white below with the edges of scales gray; a series of f5 broadly U-shaped dark brown bars on back, smaller posteriorly, or with a series of 5 double dark brown to black dashes, the anterior 2 with 1 above and 1 below lateral line; a series of 9 spots or short bars on lower side of body that may be blackish, reddish, or dusky yellow; small dark reddish spots, one per scale, often present scattered along side of body and on cheek; presence at side of snout of an iridescent pale blue line, and one beneath eye; lips with large dark blotches; usually presence of a midventral blackish spot on isthmus, often with a smaller black spot to each side anteriorly; edge of chin below lower lip dusky to blackish; spinous portion of dorsal fin may be entirely black, but usually blackish with large pale yellowish blotches in outer part; soft dorsal fin with rows of black to black-edged orange spots, the base of most rays black or with black upper ends of U-shaped marks extending into base of fin; anal fin base with a row of red spots, a red submarginal line, and a small black spot on penultimate membrane about one-third distance to margin; caudal fin with small blackish, dusky orange, or red spots, often with smaller white spots as well (Ref. 57562).