Marine; brackish; reef-associated; depth range 6 - 40 m . Tropical; 20°N - 25°S

Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm Max length : 27.0 cm TL male/unsexed; ; max. published weight: 92.90 g

Dorsal spines (total): 11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12 - 13; Anal spines: 4; Anal soft rays: 9. This species is distinguished by the following characters: 3rd or 4th dorsal spines longest, 1.8-2.0 HL; pectoral rays 13-14 (usually 13); lateral line scales 33-38, scale rows above 2.5; oblique scale rows on cheek 4; gill rakers of first gill arch 5-7 + 9-11; body depth 2.7-3.0 in SL; posterior edge of nasal fossa with 1-6 spinules, 0-1 at anterior edge; upper edge of first suborbital bone with a laterally projecting spine near a vertical at the front edge of orbit, followed by a serrated ridge; preopercular spine 3/4 to nearly equal to orbit diameter, 2.85-3.5 in head length. Colour of body with alternating broad deep red and narrow silvery stripes on body; distinct black spot on middle of caudal-fin base; black marks at base of soft dorsal and anal fins; dark streak near anterior edge of anal fin ( Ref. 27370, 90102). Body shape (shape guide): fusiform / normal;  Cross section: compressed.