Juveniles and males bright red, females become maroon to nearly black
There are significant color variations for fish in this species, related to sex and geographic location.
The body bars are white or yellow, the body bars of the female are narrower.
Males are much smaller than females.

Has not yet been assessed for the IUCN Red List.

Indo-West Pacific: Indo-Australian Archipelago including India, Burma, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, New Guinea, New Britain, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, and Australia (northern Queensland).
Reef-associated at a depth range between 1 and 16 meters.
Adults inhabit lagoon and seaward reefs, found mainly in protected coastal waters and lagoons. Typically found in pairs.

Distinct pairing during breeding.
Eggs are demersal and adhere to the substrate.
Males guard and aerate the eggs.