Marine; reef-associated; depth range 1 - 20 m . Tropical; 32°N - 24°S

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

Dorsal spines (total): 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 11. The initial phase is olivaceous to brownish yellow dorsally, white ventrally, with a black zigzag stripe running from eye to upper caudal peduncle (continuing anteriorly as a yellow stripe from the eye to the snout). This primary phase is similar to H. trimaculatus except for the black zigzag stripe along its back . The terminal phase is green, the zigzag stripe lavender-pink with its anterior portion overlaid by a black blotch. Body shape (shape guide): fusiform / normal;  Cross section: compressed.