Marine; brackish; reef-associated; amphidromous ; depth range 0 - 60 m , usually 0 - 2 m . Tropical; 26°C - 29°C ; 41°N - 36°S, 20°E - 166°E

Maturity: Lm 16.7, range 13 - 19.1 cm Max length : 31.0 cm SL male/unsexed; ; common length : 20.0 cm SL male/unsexed; ; max. reported age: 7 years

Dorsal spines (total): 11 - 13; Dorsal soft rays (total): 20 - 23; Anal spines: 2; Anal soft rays: 18 - 23. Swim bladder with two anterior and two posterior extensions. The anterior extensions extend forward and diverge to terminate on each side of the basioccipital above the auditory capsule. Two lateral extensions commence anteriorly, each sending a blind tubule anterolaterally and then extending along the abdominal wall below the investing peritoneum to just posterior of the duct-like process. Two posterior tapering extensions of the swim bladder project into the caudal region, one usually longer than the other. The species has a low lateral line with about 70 scales . Body shape (shape guide): elongated;  Cross section: circular.