Body oblong, dorsal side of body with prickles from snout to above pectoral fin, ventral side from below eye to pectoral fin with prickles, other parts of body naked. Back above pectoral fin with a pair of small black lappets. Caudal fin truncate. Body dusky brown dorsally with several transverse indistinct dusky bands, the bands on interorbital and nape relatively prominent; cheek with irregular white lines in male, but no markings in female; caudal fin dark brown basally and posteriorly, pale yellow at middle part; other fins white or pale yellow.
Distribution:
From North Carolina through Carribbean Sea to Suriname; young found in brackish waters.
Remarks:
This species is easily separable from other species of Sphoeroides by having a pair of small black lappets on the back. (Matsuura)