Body robust, somewhat compressed, and not very deep (depth contained 2.8 to 3.0 times in standard length); mouth small and terminal, its posterior end located at the same level as the anterior rim of the eye; profile of head convex; first gill arch with 18 to 23 gill rakers; dorsal fin deeply notched, with 12 spines and 14 to 15 soft rays (XII, 14-15); second anal spine stronger and but shorter than third; third anal spine, when bent, reaching or surpassing base of last anal ray;; back brownish gray; belly lighter; axilla of pectoral fins and upper edge of operculum black (Ref. 55763)