Color variable, usually yellow, red or pale tan, often with a weakly pigmented dark spot at posterior dorsal fin base. Illicium about equal to the length of the second dorsal spine. Esca a spherical whitish blob or it may be filamentous. Last ray of pelvic fin bifurcate. Caudal peduncle absent. Collected from tide pools as well as lagoon and seaward reefs ,secretive among rocks and sponges. Benthic. Oviparous. Eggs are bound in ribbon-like sheath or mass of gelatinous mucus called 'egg raft' or 'veil'