Body elongate and slightly compressed. Preopercle with a single prominent group of spines at the angle; 3 flat spines on posterior part of opercle. Bases of soft portions of dorsal and anal fins without scales. Pectoral fin longer than pelvic fin. Caudal fin forked. Second ray of upper caudal fin elongated. Body dusky green with 2 logitudinal dark stripes; cheek yellowish olive with diagonal blue stripes fins dusky; anal and caudal fins with a tinge of yellow.
Distribution:
From Gulf of Mexico to Suriname.
Remarks:
This species is easily separable from other serranids by the prominent group of spines at the angle of the preopercle. (Matsuura)