A member of Noturus furiosus species group distinguished from all other members by its exceptionally bold pigment pattern, with particular reference to the following markings: dark brown to black dorsal saddles highly contrasted with pale yellow to tan areas on body; posterior dark saddle passing through adipose fin extends to middle of anal fin base, posterior to terminus of caudal peduncle, forming a well-defined broad lateral band of dense pigment; dorsal fin with dark, broad submarginal and basal bands connected anteriorly via first 2-3 rays; anal fin with dark central blotch extending onto base and often connected to intense dark pigment on sides of caudal peduncle; dark, crescent-shaped midcaudal band, thickest in center where broadly joined to dark pigment on caudal peduncle. Differs also by the following combination of characters: pectoral spine with strongly developed anterior dentations, some often bifurcate; pectoral spine, its posterior serrae, and the posterior process of cleithrum very large; pectoral fin long, sickle-shaped, and when depressed, reach beyond pelvic fin origin, except in very large specimens (Ref. 55397).