Head large; eyes also large; snout moderately pointed. Head ridges well developed; underside of head naked except for a small patch below the preopercular angle. Swim bladder large and strongly bilobed anteriorly, with 4 retia mirabilia. Grayish brown, with 6 or 7 broad saddle marks extending below the lateral line; the fins blackish except for the whitish base of the first dorsal and basally on anal in some individuals; the mouth and gill cavities black.