Color in life brownish gray with 9-13 dark brown stripes of alternating width and intensity. Dark brown spot on middle of caudal peduncle larger than pupil size and encircled with yellow. In large fish dark caudal spot may expand to form a bar around peduncle. Distinct snow white area between caudal spot (or bar) and posterior ends of body stripes. Distal part of first dorsal fin blackish. Upper- and lowermost caudal rays dusky, but not as dark as body stripes. Other fins pale with reddish hue. Snout with yellow tinge (yellow pigment may be absent altogether in large adults) (Ref 8525).