Body rhomboidal and strongly compressed. First dorsal fin with two spines; the first above posterior margin of eye, with 5〜6 small downward directed spines on posterolateral sides; the second very small hidden in skin. Upper jaw teeth arranged in two rows; the outer series with 6 teeth, the inner with 4 teeth. Lower jaw with 6 teeth arranged in a single row. Scales on body slightly rough. Posterior end of pelvis with movable encasing scales. In male second dorsal fin ray produced into a filament, a patch of bristles on caudal peduncle extending to below posterior dorsal fin rays; in female no filamentous rays in dorsal fin and no bristles on caudal peduncle. Body pale brown with irregular dark brown blotches. Caudal fin yellowish brown with 2 transverse dark brown bands.
Distribution:
From Nova Scotia to Brazil.
Remarks:
This species differs from the Atlantic congener, S. setifer, by having the higher numbers of rays in the second dorsal and anal fins. (Matsuura)