The leopard searobin has a robust and bony head with a wide mouth. It has a slim, elongated, cylindrical body that tapers to a truncate tail. The fish exhibits a leopard spot pattern along its entire body. 3 - 4 diagonal dark patches that look like saddles may be seen along the sides of the body, but are not always present. If present, the saddles extend from the back down to the belly. The fish’s underbelly is white and flat, and the tips of the anal fin are white. Two distinct dorsal fins with sharp spines and two dark spots/patches on the first dorsal between the first and second dorsal spine and the fourth and fifth dorsal spine. Leopard spot pattern may be observed on the second dorsal. The pectoral fins of the fish are wide and fan-like, and they may have dark patches and/or exhibit a leopard spot pattern. Appears to have "legs" which act as feelers, but they are the first three rays of modified pectoral fins.