Marine; reef-associated; depth range 0 - 90 m , usually 0 - 90 m . Tropical; 26°N - 36°S, 25°E - 85°W

Maturity: Lm 8.8  range ? - ? cm Max length : 27.0 cm TL male/unsexed; ; common length : 17.0 cm TL male/unsexed;

Dorsal spines (total): 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 22 - 26; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 19 - 22. Body olivaceous gray, with 4 vertical stripes (1 stripe on head across the yellow eye; 1 on caudal peduncle); shading to white ventrally, often with a sharp line of demarcation. Sharp, forward-pointing, erectile spine on each side of caudal peduncle which folds down into a groove. Scales minute. Teeth with denticulations on sides and top. Gill rakers 18-22 in anterior row, 19-24 in posterior row.