Diagnosis: large, big-toothed brownish species; eyes rather large; premaxillary pedicel relatively short (Ref. 55949).

Description: mouth and eyes rather large; often with decurved snout; lower jaw moderately to strongly protruding; larger specimens tend to have an arched back and a flabby, rather rounded lower profile; premaxillary pedicel bone variable in length, usually shorter than in similary-sized R. woodi; teeth fairly strong and slender but variable (Ref. 55949).

Coloration: females and non-breeding males countershaded, dark grey-brown dorsally; overal brownish cast especially marked in juveniles; caudal fin dark grey; pelvic fins sometimes long; sexually mature and ripe males with orange, females with white pelvic fins; throat may be flushed with orange or may be white (Ref. 55949).