Body moderately deep. Snout somewhat pointed; preorbital bone relatively broad, wider than eye diameter; preopercular notch and knob poorly developed; vomerine tooth patch crescentic, without a medial posterior extension; tongue with a patch of granular teeth; gill rakers on lower limb of first gill arch (including rudiments) 9 to 12, total gill rakers on first gill arch 16 to 20. Dorsal fin with X spines and 13 or 14 soft rays; anal fin with III spines and 8 soft rays; posterior profile of dorsal and anal fins rounded; pectoral fins with 16 or 17 rays; caudal fin emarginate to nearly truncate. Scale rows on back more or less parallel to lateral line, or parallel below spinous part of dorsal fin and sometimes rising obliquely posteriorly, or rarely with entirely oblique rows. Generally greenish brown on back, grading to reddish on sides and ventral parts. Trawl specimens from deep water frequently reddish with dark scale centers and white scale margins, giving a reticulated appearance. Juveniles with a series of about eight whitish bars crossing sides, and 1 or 2 blue lines across cheek