Marine; reef-associated; depth range 3 - 30 m , usually 5 - 30 m . Tropical; 24°C - 27°C ; 30°N - 30°S, 49°E - 170°E

Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm Max length : 35.0 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. Head, body and fins orange-yellow; pale blue ocelli with darker blue margins on head, thorax and sides; spots about pinhead size, larger and more crowded on head, sometimes smaller on sides; ocelli may extend onto bases of dorsal and anal fins, and on bases of outer rays of caudal fin. Very small juveniles (up to 50 mm SL) may have vertical blue lines on side, fragmenting into the ocelli with increase in size. Orbit with a diffused-edged dark, triangular smudge; orange-brown iris Fin spines stout, pungent and venomous. Midline of thorax and ridges fully scaled. Body shape (shape guide): short and / or deep;  Cross section: compressed.