Marine; brackish; reef-associated; depth range 1 - 30 m . Tropical; 31°N - 23°S, 57°E - 144°W

Maturity: Lm ?, range 40 - ? cm Max length : 72.0 cm TL male/unsexed; ; common length : 60.0 cm SL male/unsexed; ; max. published weight: 7.0 kg

Dorsal spines (total): 11 - 12; Dorsal soft rays (total): 18 - 20; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 7 - 9. This species is distinguished by the following characters: chin with 6 pores, no median pit; gill rakers on first gill arch 9-12 + 1 + 27-32 = 36-43; D XII (rarely XI),18-20; longest dorsal-fin ray 16-25% of standard length, almost equal to length of soft dorsal-fin base in small specimens, more than 1/2 length of soft dorsal-fin base in adults; lips fleshy, moderately swollen with age; scales ctenoid (rough to touch); lateral line tubed scales about 52-59; body depth 2.4-2.5 in SL; caudal fin deeply forked with broadly rounded lobes in juveniles; only slightly forked to emarginate in adults. Colour of body with numerous dark brown spots, generally larger than pupil; pelvic fins spotted, darkening with age; juveniles brownish with large, well-defined creamy white blotches on body that include brown spots with age; colour gradually changing into a greyish background with large, deep brown spots ( Ref. 47695, 90102). Body shape (shape guide): short and / or deep;  Cross section: compressed.