Body height 43-44% of SL; head length 27% of SL; eyes on left side, separated by a flat space without a ridge; mouth long, 50% of head length, ends under rear of eye; teeth are large canines, especially at front of mouth; 24-31 gill rakers; dorsal fin begins over upper eye, 72-85; anal fin 57-67; bases of pelvics symmetric; urinary papilla on eye side, immediately behind level of anus; lateral line scales 96-119; eye-side scales smooth (rough in juveniles), large fish with small accessory scales between larger body scales; blind side scales smooth; lateral line extending onto head, with branches to upper eye and below lower eye, strongly arched over pectoral fin.
Eye side pale chocolate brown, juveniles sometimes with ocelli; blind side pale.
