Marine; reef-associated; depth range 1 - 60 m , usually 2 - 30 m . Tropical; 30°N - 33°S, 27°E - 128°W

Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm Max length : 17.0 cm TL male/unsexed;

Dorsal spines (total): 11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12 - 14; Anal spines: 4; Anal soft rays: 8 - 9. Body with alternating broad red and narrower silvery white stripes ; red head with 2 vertical white streaks on the opercle, one on its edge and an oblique one below the eye; distinctive reddish-black to black dorsal fin with two white streaks. Five or 6 oblique rows of scales on cheek. Maxilla nearly reaching or extending slightly beyond a vertical at anterior edge of the pupil; upper jaw length 2.75-2.95 in head length. Body depth 2.75-3.25 in SL; head length 2.7-3.15 in SL; snout length 4.0-4.4 in head length; interorbital width 4.4-4.9 in head length; premaxillary groove extending slightly posterior to a vertical at anterior edge of orbit; anterior end of nasal bone rounded; medial margin of nasal bone without spinule; nasal fossa without spinules on its edge; upper edge of suborbital bones below anterior half of eye spineless; small preopercular spine, its length 2-3 times in orbit diameter, 2.85-3.5 in head length; longest 4th dorsal spines, 1.7-2.25 in head length; third anal spine 1.2-1.35 in head length . Body shape (shape guide): fusiform / normal;  Cross section: compressed.