Marine; reef-associated; depth range 0 - 60 m , usually 5 - 20 m . Subtropical; 24°C - 28°C ; 32°N - 24°S

Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm Max length : 25.0 cm TL male/unsexed;

Dorsal spines (total): 12; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9 - 10; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 11 - 12. Juveniles and adults resemble their counterparts of B. axillaris, but juveniles have yellow rather than white spots and adults have well-defined black band between the light and dark portions of the body and lack ocelli on the dorsal and anal fins. Color of juveniles changes completely to adult pattern when about 5-6 cm long. The change takes only a few weeks and intermediates are rarely seen .