Head purplish brown, posteriorly white to yellowish.
An oblique black band between head and posterior body.
A black spot at pectoral fin base. The similar looking Axilspot hogfish also has a black spot on the dorsal and anal fins, which are missing in the present species.
Juvenile:
Body purplish to black.
Several black edged yellow spots on body. The similar looking Axilspot
hogfish juvenile has white spots instead of yellow spots on body.
