Black, covered in small white spots. There also is a yellow to gold variation, with scattered black spots. Nearly 25% of the population has this variation.

Locally common.

Indo-Pacific. East Africa, down to South Africa to Hawaii and French Polynesia, Galapagos and Baja, South Japan to Australia, East Panama to North Ryukyu islands, South to Lord Howe and Easter islands, Mexico to Ecuador. It lives on coral rich areas and rocky bottoms of coastal, lagoon and outer reefs, in a depth down to 75 meters.

–