Adults variable from grey to red (Ref. 48635). On some individuals, the hourglass- or saddle-shaped markings along its side may be obliterated by an almost solid dark red band (Ref. 1602). Large individuals are often thick-bodied, giving a hump-backed appearance (Ref. 1602).

Description: Characterized by grey to whitish color; upper side with about six irregular dark bars with smaller blotches in between; lower side with whitish stripe interrupted by dark red to brown bars; fully scaled cheek behind mouth to edge of preopercle; broad interorbital space, 3.9-4.7% of SL; short and triangular flap on anterior nostril; pectoral fin not reaching line connecting origins of dorsal and pelvic fins (Ref. 90102).