Diagnosis: body short and globose; mouth large with many small, villiform teeth; skin naked, but head, body and fins covered with numerous skin flaps; very long pelvic fins (> 25% SL); unprotected illicium or lure attains less than half of second dorsal-fin spine and 4.5-9.3% of SL (Ref. 57225).

Description: characterized by having large pelvic fins; unbranched pelvic rays (Ref. 90102). Illicium much shorter than 2nd dorsal spine; esca globular with short filaments; pectoral stalk free from body for most of its length (Ref. 26938). Illicium and second dorsal-fin spine close-set, former apparently emerging from base of latter; second dorsal-fin spine narrow and slightly curved backwards, not attached to head by membrane and attaining 13.3-19.3% of standard length. Third dorsal-fin spine narrow and slightly curved backwards, attached to the head by a membrane and attaining 19.3-29.3% of SL: eye diameter 5.0-8.7% of SL (Ref. 57225). Relatively smooth skin without obvious spinules; head, body, fins and dorsal spines usually have scattered cirri and slender skin flaps (Ref. 90102).

Coloration: color variable, from more or less uniform grey to pattern of stripes and spots varying from brown to yellow; body sometimes covered with numerous small, black dots or fine white lines; pectorals nad pelvics occasionally orange-edged; skin filaments white; illicium without bands; color mottled green with numerous fleshy weed-like dermal appendages (Ref. 1602) blending with the floating Sargassum weed in which it is usually found.