Found above coral outcrops or patch reefs of clear lagoons, channels, or outer reef slopes. Form large aggregations. Feed on zooplankton (Ref. 6113). A protogynous hermaphrodite (Ref. 55367). Males are territorial and haremic (Ref. 9710). Color patterns and size of sexual transition very slightly from one locality to the next. Total length for females from Ref. 9137.