Diagnostic Description
provided by Fishbase
Anterior nostril with single triangular or more elongate tentacle, posterior nostril pore-like, with slightly raised edges; angle of jaws below anterior edge of pupil; upper lip with equal to or slightly narrower than preorbital width; teeth caniniform, in three or four rows medially with outer and inner somewhat enlarged (Ref. 39517). Body pale brown with several dark brown blotches interspersed with pale saddles along dorsal midline, variously sized dark blotches along lateral midline; fine horizontal striae sometimes evident along the body; snout with antrorse V-like dark mark (Ref. 39517).
Morphology
provided by Fishbase
Dorsal spines (total): 7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12 - 13; Analspines: 1; Analsoft rays: 12
Biology
provided by Fishbase
Found most commonly on mixed coralline algae, but also on open sand and rock substrata, often with Gnatholepis thompsoni (Ref. 39517).