The Barred Soapfish has a moderately deep body that is mostly covered with small ctenoid scales. There is a deep notch between the spinous and soft-rayed portions of the dorsal fin. The pelvic fins are long, reaching beyond the spinous portion of the anal fin.

The species is pale to bright yellow with a black bar on the head and a wide black bar on the body.

It grows to about 25 cm in length.