 The dorsal fin has 95-120 rays and the anal fin has 85-102 rays, and there is a short, sharp spine pointing forward in front of the anal fin, which is created by an elongation first interhaemal spine of the post-abdominal bone, although this is sometimes so small that it is hidden.The pectoral fin on the eyed side is shorter than the head and the pectoral fins are blackish towards their tips.Almost all of the head and body, apart from the tip of the snout and the lower jaw is covered in smooth scales which make the fish slippery when held.