The Dusky Jawfish has a body that is thickly mottled with shades of dark brown and flecked with blackish spots. The caudal fin and posterior part of the dorsal fin are yellow with rows of small blackish dots.
It requires a 30 gallon or larger aquarium with rock, small pieces of shell, and loose coral rubble as part of the aquascape, and a sand bottom for burrowing. The tank should be equipped with a tight-fitting lid, since it is a jumper. It should be kept with docile tank mates. Multiple Dusky Jawfish can be housed together in a large tank where they can establish their own territories.
The diet of the Dusky Jawfish should consist of a variety of marine fish, crustacean flesh, and mysis shrimp.