Elongate, moderately compressed; prominent snout; eye moderate (1.7-1.8 in snout); mouth small, under snout, lips thin; teeth simple, no canines, outer row teeth of upper jaw slightly enlarged; 4 inconspicuous barbels along inner side of lower jaw; margin of preopercle strongly serrated, spines at the angle; gill rakers 22-24; dorsal rays X + I, 23-26, first dorsal at most barely reaching origin of second dorsal fin when depressed; anal rays II, 7-8, 2nd spine robust, ~ ¾ length of 1st anal ray; tail margin a short, blunt point, upper lobe slightly concave; scales large, rough on body and nape, smooth on breast and cheek; pored lateral-line scales 51-54; soft dorsal and anal fins without scales.
Color silvery grey with brassy hue; upper sides with dark oblique streaks extending upward and backwards along scale rows; fins yellowish, spinous dorsal fin with blackish outer margin.
Size: grows to about 40 cm.
Inhabits coastal waters.
Depth: 1-33 m.
Southern Baja, the central Gulf of California to Acapulco.
