Marine; brackish; reef-associated; depth range 1 - ? m , usually 1 - 20 m . Tropical; 23°C - 28°C ; 35°N - 25°S, 77°E - 154°E

Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm Max length : 30.0 cm TL 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. A brown band running diagonally from nape to chin; another from 4th-5th dorsal spine base to pectoral fin base; ocular and shoulder bands spotted with blue; a zone of silvery yellow posterior and adjacent to the shoulder band. Preopercular angle 100°-111°; cheek scalation variable from few to almost fully scaled; midline of thorax fully scaled, sometimes with a row missing from pelvic ridges. A prominent rim or short tube encircle the anterior nostril, with a little peak on it posteriorly. Spines stout, fairly pungent and venomous. Body shape (shape guide): short and / or deep;  Cross section: compressed.