Body depressed and moderately elongated; head wide and depressed; mouth large; eyes dorsal; gill openings located at back of the head; dorsal with 3 spines; pelvic fins sub-jugular; dorsal and anal fins free from caudal fin; anal fin with 21 to 25 rays; lateral lines two, fewer than 52 pores in the upper line and fewer than 48 in the lower; photophores lacking around the anus; body reddish brown, with some darker dorsal-lateral spots along the second dorsal fin and numerous blotches, some brown and some white, especially on the head (Ref. 55763).