Marine; reef-associated; depth range 4 - 131 m , usually 9 - 130 m . Tropical; 24°C - 28°C ; 40°N - 37°S, 17°E - 155°W

Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm Max length : 54.0 cm TL male/unsexed; ; common length : 35.0 cm TL male/unsexed; ; max. reported age: 30 years

Dorsal spines (total): 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 25 - 27; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 24 - 26. Pale brown body; broader, irregular lines on head; orange band between eyes, continued behind each eye to gill cover. Each side of caudal peduncle with single, sharp, forward-pointing erectile spine; spine largely covered by cream sheath; groove surrounded by a black area. Dorsal fin with soft part having longer base than spinous part. Minute scales. Gill rakers 22-26 in anterior row, 23-27 in posterior row. Caudal fin lunate in adults .