Marine; reef-associated; depth range 1 - 30 m , usually 2 - 30 m . Tropical; 24°C - 27°C ; 32°N - 36°S, 24°E - 109°W

Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm Max length : 50.0 cm SL male/unsexed; ; common length : 35.0 cm TL male/unsexed;

Dorsal spines (total): 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12 - 13; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 11 - 12. Young individuals are usually a mottled brown or green, sometimes with a broad lateral stripe . Rare individuals may be uniformly yellow . Coloration in this fish is variable: green, brown, orange-brown or yellow, often with narrow, midlateral, broken black stripe which are absent in large males . Large males may develop a bright yellow, orange, black, white, or multicolored patch on their sides behind their pectoral fins . Body shape (shape guide): elongated;  Cross section: circular.