Marine; reef-associated; depth range 1 - 100 m , usually 5 - 90 m . Tropical; 24°C - 28°C ; 35°N - 35°S, 23°E - 77°W

Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm Max length : 70.0 cm TL male/unsexed; ; common length : 50.0 cm TL male/unsexed; ; max. reported age: 34 years

Dorsal spines (total): 8 - 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 25 - 27; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 23 - 25. Body purplish gray when alive; grayish brown when preserved; a region of dull yellow in front of eye, a lesser extension posterior to lower part of eye; outer 1/3 of pectoral fin yellow, extreme distal part hyaline; dorsal and anal fins yellowish grey basally, dull yellow distally; caudal fin base whitish; caudal fin purplish. Anterior gill rakers 16-24, posterior 17-22. Caudal spine small.