The fish has a nasal organ with 2 bifid tentacles and a single lateral line on the side of the body. The head and body are covered with small spinules, except around the eye, gill opening, fins, and the posterior caudal peduncle. The body coloration ranges from pale grey to brown, grading to white on the ventral surface. It features a large yellowish-brown to nearly black spot surrounding the pectoral fin base, and the tail is black-edged with a yellow hue. Sometimes, it may assume a mottled pattern.