Diagnosis: body short and globose; mouth large with many small, villiform teeth; skin rough, covered with bifurcate dermal spinules; pectoral-fin lobes attached to sides of body; illicium at most as long as second dorsal-fin spine; head, body and fins entirely covered with rough, parallel, dark streaks (Ref. 57225).

Description: characterized by having unbranched pelvic rays except posteriormost bifurcate (Ref. 90102). Illicium about as long as (Ref. 57225) or slightly longer than second dorsal spine (Ref. 90102). Esca with 2-7 worm-like appendages; membrane connects second dorsal fin to head; hair-like filaments covering head, body and fins (Ref. 90102). Shape of lure variable from short and thick to long and slender; illicium attaining 13.6-22.7% of SL; second dorsal-fin spine more or less straight and attains 11.4-19.0% of SL; third dorsal-fin spine curved backwards, attaining 16.7-29.3% of SL; eye diameter 3.5-7.4% of SL (Ref. 57225). Bone supporting illicium extends in front of upper lip (Ref. 26938). Length usually to about 20 cm, but occasionally larger in subtropical zones (Ref. 48635).

Coloration: color variable, often light yellow, orange, green, gray or brown (Ref. 26938, 57225), sometimes solid black (Ref. 26938) or almost white (Ref. 57225). Bands or large, elongate brownish or black spots; preserved specimens beige, yellow, orange, brownish or black (Ref. 57225). Prominent lines radiate from eye (Ref. 26938).