Grey/brown color with dark dorsal fin, anal fin and outer edges of the tail, the inner part of the tail is whitish. In the mating season, the males take on a slightly purple color to attract females.

Unevaluated by the IUCN Red list.

Eastern Atlantic: including the Azores, Madeira, and the Canary Islands; also reported from west Africa between Senegal and Pointe Noire, Congo. Adults inhabit rocky reefs and sand-weed areas, in a depth range of 5-45 meters.

Oviparous, distinct pairing during breeding. The males clear a patch on the rocky bottom for the females to deposit their eggs on. Eggs are demersal and adhere to the substrate. Males guard and aerate the eggs