Body light brown, with dendritic pattern. Corner of mouth with a dark brown spot, preceded on lower lip by a large white blotch (often followed by another above and behind corner of mouth); upper and lower jaw pores usually in prominent white spots. Vertebrae 121-133.

Description: Characterized by body depth at gill opening about 18-20 in TL; origin of dorsal fin at about midway between gill opening and corner of mouth; anus located near middle of body; single row of jaw teeth in anterior part of jaws; posterior canines usually alternating with 1-2 small teeth; three longest median canines at front of upper jaw; females, side of jaw with two rows of teeth, 1-3 elongate teeth in inner row (no inner teeth in male); front of lower jaw with two rows of teeth, inner row longest (Ref. 90102).