Marine; brackish; reef-associated; oceanodromous ; depth range 0 - 20 m , usually 2 - 20 m . Tropical; 25°C - 28°C ; 30°N - 20°S

Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm Max length : 53.0 cm TL male/unsexed; ; common length : 30.0 cm TL male/unsexed;

Dorsal spines (total): 13; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10; Anal spines: 7; Anal soft rays: 9; Vertebrae: 13. Body bronze above, white on belly and thorax; iris light brown; pectoral fins hyaline, pelvic fins white. Slender and pungent dorsal spines; anal spines stout. Preopercular angle 78°-92°. Strong scales cover cheeks. Midline of thorax scaled but not pelvic ridges. Broad-based triangular flap of anterior nostril reaching half way to posterior nostril in juveniles, reducing to a small crescent with age. Body shape (shape guide): short and / or deep;  Cross section: compressed.