This species is distinct and separate from Cantherhines dumerilii, the similarly named whitespotted filefish which is found in the Indian and Pacific oceans.

The American whitespotted filefish typically has a brown or olive colored body, although it may also be grey.

These fish can rapidly change appearance to a high contrast color pattern with a much darker background and many light colored spots[2] With a maximum length of around 18 inches, they are smaller than the scrawled filefish which is also found in their range.

These fish are omnivorous; although they eat animals like sponges, stinging coral and gorgonians, and algae.

These fish are non-aggressive, need plenty of places to hide, and will eat brine shrimp, krill and algae.