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Body flattened. Large head and wide mouth. One dorsal fin, with the first six free rays, of which the first one is long ("the little rod", in sailor's slang), ending in a simple fleshy appendage ("lure"), shaped like a flame of fire in large specimens (see photos). The third ray is short, shorter than that of Lophius piscatorius, and is followed by 9-10 soft rays. Anal fin with 8-9 soft rays. Skin smooth, without scales, covered with mucus. Color purplish-brown on back, with numerous light and dark dots forming small circles; also light earth-colored; ventral part of pectoral fins tinged with a gradation of gray to deep black; belly pearly white or grayish and peritoneum black. Up to 1 m long.