Dorsal fin possesses seven spines and ten rays. The anal fin consists of one spine and ten rays. Pectoral fin has 20 rays. There are 27 longitudinal scales in a series. Body is elongated and compressed and the mouth is oblique. The tongue is largely fused to the floor of the mouth. In males, the dorsal spines from the 3rd to the 5th are prolonged and filamentous. The predorsal and pectoral fin base are without scales. The body is brownish with numerous dark blotches along the back and a black blotch at the base of the caudal fin. There is a black bar extending from the eye to the cheek. The fins are translucent to dusky, often exhibiting spots.