Marine; reef-associated; depth range 1 - 40 m . Tropical; 30°N - 25°S, 92°E - 160°W

Maturity: Lm ?, range 24 - ? cm Max length : 40.0 cm TL male/unsexed; ; common length : 30.0 cm TL male/unsexed;

Dorsal spines (total): 13; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10; Anal spines: 7; Anal soft rays: 9; Vertebrae: 13. Color pattern changes with age; iris silver with 8-10 orange spots. Juveniles with a deep brown patch straddling the lateral line; the spot becoming obscured with increase in size. Stout, venomous spines not so pungent. Preopercular angle 87°-105°. Strong scales fully cover the cheeks. Midline of thorax scaled but not pelvic ridges. Body shape (shape guide): short and / or deep;  Cross section: compressed.