Marine; reef-associated; depth range 1 - 100 m . Tropical; 30°N - 25°S

Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm Max length : 30.0 cm TL male/unsexed; ; common length : 20.0 cm TL male/unsexed;

Dorsal spines (total): 8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9; Anal spines: 1; Anal soft rays: 7. Diagnosis: Pectoral rays 15-16 (usually 15). Gill rakers 6-8 + 20-25 (total 28-32). Body moderately elongate, depth 3.2-3.5 in SL; head length 2.75-3.15 in SL; snout length 1.8-2.0 in HL; barbel length 1.3-1.5 in HL; head and anterior half of body reddish black, posterior half white and yellow with a black spot nearly as large as eye on upper side below rear base of second dorsal fin, followed by small blue spots; a white band from front of snout passing above eye along dorsal part of body, and a second nearly parallel one from corner of mouth to above pectoral fin; caudal fin pale yellow with a broad, dusky lower margin, and often with a small red spot at midbase; barbels red . Body shape (shape guide): fusiform / normal;  Cross section: oval.