This species is found in various habitats from shallow coastal algae reefs to deep offshore on soft bottom with sponges and hydroid colonies (Kuiter 1993, 2006), to a depth to 18 m (M. Kulbicki pers. comm. 2008). It also occurs in sheltered reef crest with stinging hydrozoans (Aglaophenia spp) for protection (Kuiter 2002). Kuiter and Tonozuka (2001) found that it rarely leaves its cover except to move quickly between hydrozoan colonies.

It is highly variable in colour and tends to blend with habitat (Sadovy and Cornish 2000). Juveniles usually with eye-sized ocellus on gill cover, but intermittent in adults (Kuiter 2006). It is distinguished by the 9 spines in the dorsal fin (Kuiter 2002) and filaments extend from first two interspinous dorsal membranes in males (Sadovy and Cornish 2000).