Marine; reef-associated; depth range 0 - 15 m . Tropical; 20°N - 29°S, 102°E - 174°W

Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm Max length : 25.0 cm SL male/unsexed; ; common length : 20.0 cm TL male/unsexed;

Dorsal spines (total): 13; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10; Anal spines: 7; Anal soft rays: 9; Vertebrae: 13. Body blue above, silvery white below; from nape through eye to chin a seal brown band, another from base of 4th-5th dorsal spines to just below of pectoral fin. Spines stout, pungent and venomous. Preopercular 97°-110°. Strong scales cover cheeks. Midline of thorax fully scaled; sometimes a few scales absent from pelvic ridges. Body shape (shape guide): short and / or deep;  Cross section: compressed.