Color of entire body is reddish, fading to pink on the lower sides, then silver on the belly. They have fine diagonal to horizontal yellow stripes below the lateral line. Large canine teeth are absent and there is no dark lateral spot. Orientation of mouth and eye give it the appearance of looking upward. Body shape is more streamlined than other snappers. The dorsal fin is rosy colored with a yellow margin. The caudal fin is red, but has a faint black margin.