Marine; reef-associated; depth range 1 - 30 m , usually 2 - 30 m . Tropical; 22°C - 27°C ; 32°N - 25°S, 97°E - 174°W

Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm Max length : 38.0 cm TL male/unsexed; ; common length : 25.0 cm TL male/unsexed;

Dorsal spines (total): 13; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10; Anal spines: 7; Anal soft rays: 9; Vertebrae: 13. Body yellow-orange above to silvery white below; a prominent blackish bar on head, spotted; iris blackish; opercular area silver; dorsal and anal fin spines and rays yellow, spines with white streak. Spines stout and venomous. Preopercular angle 101°-111°. Cheeks fully covered with strong scales. Midline of thorax scaled; scaled pelvic ridges may interrupt scale row pattern. Low rim of anterior nostril expanded posteriorly into a short, broad triangular flap. Body shape (shape guide): fusiform / normal;  Cross section: compressed.