It has bright yellow fins which also contain distinctive patterning, while its head contains dark and white stripes.

Also on the undersurface, towards the rear, along the tip of the tail, the splendid toadfish has a small and rounded caudal fin.

The structural features of the species however are similar to other members in the family, such as the flat and broadened head and barbells.

Like most species that dwell close to the sand, the splendid toadfish has eyes located on the top of its head which look directly upwards as there is mostly no need for a horizontal vision.

The splendid toadfish generates a buzzing mating call that can be heard by divers.