Body elongate and compressed. Body depth 2.5 in SL. Posterior edge of upper jaw reaching to below anterior margin of eye. Two pores and a median groove on chin. Preopercle finely serrated. Soft portions of dorsal and anal fins scaled to their margins. Scales above lateral line larger than those below. Scales below lateral line arranged oblique to body axis. Caudal fin forked. Body silver-white; edge of each scale yellowish brown; head yellowish brown with many irregular blue stripes; spiny dorsal, pectoral and pelvic fins pale yellow; soft dorsal, and anal fins yellow with narrow blackedge; caudal fin yellow basally and blackish posteriorly.
Distribution:
Florida, Bermuda through Bahamas to Brazil.
Remarks:
This species is distinguishable from all other species of Haemulon fishes by the larger scales above lateral line and irregular blue stripes on head.