It maximum length is 30 cm (12 in), typical adults measuring 15 cm (5.9 in). It has 53–56 dorsal soft rays and 26–31 anal soft rays. Its palate has no pointed teeth, its lateral line is branched, and only the posterior third of the body is scaly (hence the specific name semisquamatus, "half-scaled").[4] It has 64–72 vertebrae and is golden brown or pink, with a silvery belly.[5] It is also notable for its plectrum-shaped eye.[6]
^Bruce Collette (Smithsonian, Usa); Studies), Hank Heessen (IMARES Institute for Marine Resources and Ecosystem; Paul Fernandes (School of Biological Sciences, Zoology Building (March 12, 2014). "IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Gymnammodytes semisquamatus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.