Commonly pale mauve but variable, bright yellow area from snout to back and on the pelvic fin, black spot on the middle of the dorsal fin. It lives solitary or in small groups.

Unevaluated by the IUCN Red list.

Western Pacific: Andaman Sea in the eastern Indian Ocean to Fiji, north to Palau, south to the southern Great Barrier Reef. Recently recorded from Tonga. Adults inhabit coral-rich areas of seaward reef slopes and deep lagoons. Feed on a short distance from the bottom. Usually seen solitary on mixed coral and rubble patches, in a depth range of 3-35 meters.

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