Marine; reef-associated; depth range 1 - 25 m . Tropical; 28°N - 32°S

Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm Max length : 31.0 cm TL male/unsexed;

Dorsal spines (total): 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11 - 13; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 11 - 13. Color of Philippine `pterophthalmus' form very dark olive-brown; scales with reddish margins; body without markings. Male form (painting) reddish brown, each scale with a vertical blue line; irregular blue lines on head and thorax; median fins with spots or stripes and colored margins. Dorsal spines pungent. Caudal fin rounded in juveniles. Juveniles with large ocelli at the ends of the dorsal and anal fins . Body shape (shape guide): fusiform / normal;  Cross section: compressed.