The spotted drum was first formally described in 1801 by Marcus Elieser Bloch and Johann Gottlob Schneider with its type locality given as Cuba.

[8] The spotted drum has an oblong-shaped body, deep at the head, which tapers to a slender caudal peduncle.

The head and the spiny part of the dorsal fin are marked with vertical white and dark brown bars, which curve to create longitudinal stripes along the body.

[12] The spotted drum is frequently observed during the day under ledges or near the opening of small caves, at depths between 3 and 30 metres (98 ft), where it swims in repetitive patterns.

A nocturnal feeder, it leaves the protection of its daily shelter at night to feed mainly on small crustaceans and Polychaete worms.