Three bold black bands over eye to ventral fins, rear body and on tail. White with yellowish areas. Orange saddle outlined in black on snout. Short horns or spines over eyes. Four pair of dark bars on body and two wide bars on base of tail.
Tubular nostrils extend beyond upper lip.
Deeper bodied than other snappers. Back dark greenish brown to brown, fading to lighter shades of copper, reddish brown or maroon sides and belly. Solitary, may mix with yellow snappers. Yellow rear body and tail.