Body short and deep, and strongly compressed. Preorbital bone convex and without strong spines. 1 prominent spines at angle of preopercle. Ventral edge of interopercle smooth. Eye moderately small. Mouth small, terminal, protractile, gape not extending to anterior rim or orbit. Dorsal fin with XIV spines and 17 or 18 soft rays; anal fin with III spines and 17-18 soft rays; caudal fin rounded. Overall bright yellow with a broad black band on the edge of the anal fin and a broad white zone above it; a black spot is on the forehead and a ocellated dark spot just behind the head; the lips are blue. Juveniles have a false eye-spot at the base of the soft dorsal fin and a thin black line over the head, running through the eye.
habitats
Inhabits lagoon and seaward reefs at depths of 10 to 35 m; found near coral. Feeds mainly on sponges and tunicates. Juveniles secretive and occur below 25 m. Adults in small but loose groups at moderate depths.
Distribution
Widely distributed in tropical western Pacific from East Africa south to 28°S and east to Samoa, north to southern Japan, south to Australia. It is a common species in Taiwan except northern part.
Cuvier, G. etc. 1831 
