Marine; reef-associated; depth range 1 - 72 m . Tropical; 30°N - 30°S

Maturity: Lm 10.5  range ? - ? cm Max length : 30.0 cm TL male/unsexed;

Dorsal spines (total): 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 9; Vertebrae: 25. General body color when fresh is greenish brown with scales finely flecked with pale; shade of white ventrally (belly sometimes dull rose or yellowish). Across the chin, 2 irregular dull reddish bars interspaced by white or yellow; upper opercular margin with a diffused dark spot. Hyaline pectorals with a yellowish flush; pelvic fins hyaline except for numerous small white spots and some reddish blotches. Flexible dorsal spines. Area circumscribed by pectoral fin unspotted. Lateral line interrupted (scales usually 19 + 7, occasionally 19 + 6).