This uncommon puffer is cream to light brown with darker brown blotches that are generally much larger than the spots on the Smooth Toadfish (Tetractenos glaber). It is visually very similar to the even more rare Contusus richei. The easiest way to distinguish these two species is by examining the pectoral fins. In C. brevicaudus the pectoral fin base is almost entirely below the level of the eye, whereas in C. richei, a significant portion of the pectoral fin base is in line with the eye.
