Body oval, deep, strongly compressed. Head length about equal to head height; preopercle smooth, without prominent spines. Snout short. Small protractile mouth with brush-like teeth in the jaws. Dorsal fin with XII to XIV spines, no notch between spinous and soft dorsal fin; and 21 to 24 soft rays; anal fin with III spines and 20 to 22 soft rays; pectoral fins transparent with 15 or 16 soft rays; pelvic fins with I stout spine and 5 branched rays; caudal fin rounded. Overall yellowish grey with a large black spot bordered below by a broad white band on the back, and wavy blue lines on the lower sides; a short narrow black bar through eye. Adults have a filament extending posteriorly from the upper part of the soft portion of the dorsal fin.
habitats
Occur in lagoons and seaward reefs to a depth of 30 m, prefers coral-rich and clear water areas. Encountered singly, in pairs or small groups (adults often in pairs; juveniles solitary and inshore). Feed on filamentous algae, small invertebrates, coral po
Distribution
Commonly distributed in tropical and subtropical coastal waters of Indo-Pacific from Cocos-Keeling Islands to the Hawaiian, Marquesan and Tuamoto Islands, north to southern Japan, south to Rowley Shoals and New South Wales, Australia. Widely around coral
Cuvier, G. etc. 1831 
