Body oblong and compressed. Preopercle rounded with fine serrae on the posterior margin; posterior part of opercle with 3 flat spines. Top of head scaleless. Bases of soft portions of dorsal and anal fins without scales. Caudal fin emarginate. Body pale brown with 3 vertical dark brown bars; a vertical silver bar just anterior to anus, chest silver; spinous dorsal fin dusky with a black blotch, soft dorsal fin dark brown; pectoral and anal fins dusky; pelvic fin dark brown; caudal fin dusky with upper and lower marginal yellow lines.
Distribution:
From South Carolina, Bermuda to Brazil.
Remarks:
This species is separated from other species of Serranus in the following points:the top of head scaleless, the posterior part of the opercle with 3 prominent flat spines, and the body with vertical dark brown and silver bars. (Matsuura)