Marine; reef-associated; non-migratory; depth range 5 - 33 m . Tropical; 20°N - 12°S, 111°E - 149°E

Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm Max length : 25.0 cm TL male/unsexed; ( Ref. ); common length : 20.0 cm TL male/unsexed; ( Ref. )

Dorsal spines (total): 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 14; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 8. Similar to the more common Cephalopholis spiloparaea but lacks banding in the caudal fin ; characterized further by reddish brown color; base of pelvic fins with indistinct dark blotch; greatest body depth 2.5-2.9 in SL; rounded caudal fin; short pelvic fins, 2.3-2.5 in head length; strongly bilobed margin of front of upper lip ; head length 2.1-2.3 times in SL; rounded preopercle, posterior edge finely serrate, lower edge fleshy; very convex upper edge of operculum; maxilla extends past eye; teeth large; midlateral-body scales ctenoid . Body shape (shape guide): fusiform / normal;  Cross section: oval.