Caudal fin rounded, directed upward (Ref. 6885). Color variable, gray above with dark markings and obscure dusky bands, paler below; spinous dorsal darker; other fins except pelvic fins diagonally streaked darker; sometimes red flecks on rayed dorsal and on eyes; a very distinct black band running diagonally down and back through eye (Ref. 6885). A recognizable variant occurs in Knight Inlet, British Columbia - the first caudal fin is dominated by the II, III, I rather than the first four spines and the whole fin is frail and when removed from fluid appears more like a mast than a sail (Ref. 6885).