Marine; reef-associated; depth range 0 - 60 m , usually 6 - 30 m . Tropical; 24°C - 28°C ; 35°N - 34°S, 99°E - 77°W

Maturity: Lm ?, range 10 - ? cm Max length : 26.0 cm TL male/unsexed; ; common length : 18.0 cm TL male/unsexed; ; max. published weight: 437.00 g ; max. reported age: 36 years

Dorsal spines (total): 8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 27 - 31; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 24 - 28. This species is distinguished by the following characters: body deep and compressed, its depth 1.9-2.3 times in standard length or SL; mouth small, teeth numerous (> 30 in jaws of adults), movable, slender and elongate, with expanded incurved tips which are denticulate on the lateral margin (6 denticulations on upper and 4 on lower teeth); total gill rakers on first gill arch 27-36; a continuous unnotched dorsal fin with VIII,27-31; AIII,24-28; caudal fin lunate, concavity 3.7-6 times in SL; a lancet-like spine on caudal peduncle which folds into a deep horizontal groove; colour dark olive to yellowish brown with blue or blue-grey lengthwise lines on body and small orange spots on head and nape; dorsal and anal fins with about 5 lengthwise dark bluish bands; pectoral fins pale with brownish yellow rays; a small blackish spot at rear base of dorsal fin of juveniles and small adults . Body shape (shape guide): short and / or deep;  Cross section: compressed.