Hard to detect because of the coloration.
White with small black, brown and reddish dashes and yellowish ring.
dark widely-spaced bands around the body and a mix of dark wavy lines.
Colour variable with geographic region.
Long head and a long slender snout.

Unassessed by the IUCN Red list.

It can be found throughout the Indo-Pacific Oceans, from Red Sea and East Africa to Tonga, south to northern Australia and New Caledonia.
Living at depths between 2 and 30 meter among corals or sea fans in lagoon and seaward reefs.

Monogamous mating.
Male carries the eggs in a brood pouch which is found under the tail.
The pouch protects the dorsal surface and side of the egg mass, leaving the ventral surface exposed.