Diagnosis: This species differs from all congeners in possessing the following characters: a broad, darkly pigmented, midlateral band on the posterior half of the body, which extends onto the base of the caudal fin; numerous small dark (brownish) spots on the posterior half of the body, dorsal and ventral to this midlateral band; numerous small dark spots on the second dorsal fin; second dorsal, anal, caudal, and pectoral fins with light-colored (whitish to yellow) distal margins; second dorsal fin has one weak spine and 11 branched rays; lateral cleft in the upper lip markedly expanded dorsally; and scales on the nape and abdomen similar in size to scales on the sides of the body (Ref. 54347).

Description: The body is robust, cylindrical anteriorly and becoming somewhat laterally compressed posterior to origin of second dorsal fin. Body depth is greatest approximately at level of first dorsal fin, but not varying greatly along entire body length. Head is large, blunt, and rounded in lateral profile. First dorsal fin with six weakly developed spines; second dorsal fin with one weak spine and 11 branched rays. Anal fin with one weak spine and 10 branched rays. First dorsal fin slightly more elongate than second; third spine longest (markedly longer in males than in females). Sixth spine of first dorsal fin very small; widely separated from preceding spine. Second dorsal fin and anal fin approximately same height; all rays of each fin branched near tips. Pectoral fin large and fan-shaped; length of longest ray approximately equal to head length. All pectoral fin rays, except uppermost 4-6, branched; tips of fin rays slightly exserted from edge of fin membrane, but not elongated or "silk like" (i.e., filamentous). Caudal fin rounded; length of longest rays approximately equal to head length. Pelvic fins fused into robust, cuplike suction disc (Ref. 54347).