Marine; reef-associated; depth range 3 - 46 m , usually 9 - 46 m . Tropical; 24°C - 28°C ; 35°N - 32°S, 95°E - 139°W

Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm Max length : 35.0 cm TL male/unsexed; ; max. reported age: 33 years

Dorsal spines (total): 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 23 - 25; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 22 - 24. Body of adult dark grayish brown; juveniles yellow; posterior to upper end of gill opening is a bright orange horizontal band, with purplish black border. Head and anterior half of body usually abruptly paler than the posterior half. Anterior gill rakers 24-28; posterior 23-27. Large adult males (about 17 cm) with more definite convexity of snout profile.