Marine; reef-associated; depth range 0 - 45 m , usually 3 - 25 m . Tropical; 24°C - 27°C ; 15°N - 19°S, 111°E - 167°W

Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm Max length : 16.0 cm SL male/unsexed;

Dorsal spines (total): 8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 24 - 25; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 22 - 23. Margins of lips papillate. Only species of Ctenochaetus with angular dorsal and anal fins. Caudal fin of juveniles forked, of adults lunate. Gill rakers on anterior row 20-21, on posterior row 20. Outer soft portion of dorsal and anal fins orange (pale in preservative). Caudal fin white. Edge of lips crenulate. Upper teeth with 2 or 3 denticulations (not including tip). Anterior gill rakers 19-23 . Body shape (shape guide): short and / or deep.