It has a variety of colors and can be dull to bright yellow or blue (Ref. 48635). Preserved body dark brown dorsally and laterally; lighter ventrally. Species with 4 pairs of dorsolateral body plates; 5 pairs ventrolateral body plates; deep pits on dorsal surface of head and within interorbital depression absent; 11 or more tail rings with 9th and 10th fused; suborbital shelf convex, obscuring eye from ventral view; last tail ring without spine on dorsal surface. 5th rays of pectorals stout, much thicker than other rays. No scales on orbit. Distal margin of dorsal and anal fins oblique to horizontal axis of body. Readily identified by its rather short rostrum when juvenile or female; it is more developed in males (Ref. 48635).