Body ovate and compressed, body depth 2.2 in SL. Pectoral fin rather short, not reaching to origin of anal fin when appressed. Scales on top of head extending anteriorly to above eye, but not reaching to over posterior nostril. Small canines at anterior parts of both jaws, lateral teeth molar-like. Caudal fin forked. Body silver-white, dorsal half with a pale brown cast; a small but prominent black spot at upper pectoral base; fins dusky.
Distribution:
From Florida to Brazil.
Remarks:
This species is separable from other species of Calamus by the following points:a small black spot at the upper pectoral base, 12 spines and 12 soft rays in the dorsal fin, lateral-line scales 45〜49 and the pectoral fin relatively short.