Marine; reef-associated; depth range 2 - 120 m . Tropical; 32°N - 21°S

Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm Max length : 16.4 cm TL male/unsexed;

Dorsal spines (total): 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10 - 11; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 8. Body variable from brown to yellow or green mixed with various color shades or spots. Males develop long filaments on the caudal fin . Young with a broad, dark lateral stripe which breaks into dark blotches in adults, the largest above distal pectoral fins. A small dark spot behind eye. Mouth terminal or lower jaw slightly projecting. Caudal fin of terminal males rhomboid, with central rays longest, and dorsalmost caudal-fin ray elongated into a short filament. A small species (reaching about 14 cm) . Body shape (shape guide): fusiform / normal;  Cross section: compressed.