The tusk fish Brosme brosme has an elongate body that can reach up to 1 m in length. It has a relatively small head with a flat lower jaw and a downward sloping head. A barbel is present on the chin. It has one continuous flat dorsal fin running from in line with the pectoral fin to the tail and one continuous flat anal fin running from the middle of the body to the tail. Both are narrowly joined to the small, rounded tail fin. The pelvic fin is mildly elongate. A lateral line is present and curved in the middle. The tusk fish is variable in colour, often brownish grey above and paler underneath. The pale dorsal and anal fins have a black band near the margins and have white rims.Young specimens may have six transverse yellow bands on sides.