The fish’s lips are fleshy and greatly swollen with age. The chin is equipped with 6 pores but lacks a median pit. The anal fin consists of 3 spines and 7–8 soft rays. On the 1st gill arch, there are 28–35 gill rakers.
Regarding its coloration, there is considerable variation with age. Juveniles exhibit connected black blotches and spots that gradually break up in adults, forming horizontal bands that unite at the tip of the snout. In juveniles, the pectoral fins are black, transitioning to a uniform yellow color in adults. The caudal fin develops spots with age.