Marine; reef-associated; non-migratory; depth range 1 - 15 m , usually 1 - 12 m . Tropical; 24°C - 28°C ; 35°N - 47°S, 70°E - 175°W

Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm Max length : 20.0 cm TL male/unsexed;

Dorsal spines (total): 8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 11. Color pattern remains similar throughout life. Large juveniles and females are mostly black with a single white band and white area below the head to the anus. Males retain the white central band but is more yellow, and develops a second narrow band halfway towards the head . Initial phase white with 3 black bars, the first on upper half of head and anterior body containing a yellow streak at edge of opercle, the second across dorsal fin and ventrally to anus, the third covering most of body and posterior portions of dorsal and anal fins. Terminal male with yellow between black bars. Pectoral fins bluish .