Color olive gray on upper sides with yellow tinge, sometimes with reddish tinge around head; long triangular snout; eight pale vertical bars on the side of the body; yellow fins; blue stripe below eye, becoming interrupted in adults; no dark lateral spot.

Juveniles in grass flats; adults NEARSHORE especially around elkhorn coral reefs; large adults sometimes found on continental shelf.

Usually less than 1 pound.

Spawns July and August; attains sizes of 8 pounds and 24 inches; slow grower; feeds on crustaceans, small fish, and gastropods.