Marine; brackish; reef-associated; depth range 1 - 100 m . Subtropical; 37°N - 34°S, 28°E - 180°E

Maturity: Lm 41.3, range 25 - 30 cm Max length : 120 cm TL male/unsexed; ; max. published weight: 15.0 kg ; max. reported age: 22 years

Dorsal spines (total): 11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13 - 16; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 8. This species is distinguished by the following characters: elongated body with greatest body depth at 2.9-3.7 in SL (for specimens 10-78 cm SL); head length 2.3-2.6 in SL. interorbital width 5.0-6.2 in HL; preopercle with enlarged serrae at angle and a broad shallow notch just above angle; upper edge of operculum straight or somewhat convex; maxilla reaches to or slightly past a vertical at rear edge of eye; upper jaw length 17-20% of SL; midlateral part of lower jaw with 2-3 rows of subequal teeth; gill rakers of first gill arch 8-10 + 14-17; pyloric caeca 50-60; lateral body scales rough, with minute auxiliary scales (body scales ctenoid except for nape, back, thorax, abdomen and above anal-fin base with cycloid scales); lateral-line scales 58-65; lateral-line tubes of anterior scales branched in adults. Colour: head and body tan dorsally, shading to whitish ventrally; numerous small brownish orange or reddish brown spots on head, body, and median fins; body with 5 faint, irregular, oblique, dark bars which bifurcate ventrally (irregular H-shaped bars); back with 3-4 blackish saddles; orange spots become poorly defined and darker with growth ( Ref. 39231, 90102). Body shape (shape guide): fusiform / normal;  Cross section: compressed.