The head is large, triangular, with numerous ridges and spines, featuring a fissure on top behind the eyes (occipital groove). The head length ranges from 38.2% to 43.1% of the standard length, and the interorbital width is 7.3% to 8.9% of the standard length. The rostral process has a single pair of prominent, blade-like spines. The bases of the first and second dorsal fins have small plates with strong lateral spines. The body scales are large, numbering fewer than 70 in the lateral line, firmly attached in even, distinct rows, with the belly fully scaled. The overall coloration is mostly red.