The body is compressed and notably elongated. Dorsal fin comprises 13–14 flexible spines and 105–119 segmented rays while the anal fin has 107–119 rays. There is a large canine tooth on each side of the lower jaw towards the front. In terms of coloration, the fish is pale grey-brown, featuring 20–28 indistinct broad dark bars that extend onto the dorsal fin. Margin of the soft dorsal fin is dusky with a white edge.