This species is found in coral reefs that are located deeper than 40 meters and is active at night.
distinctive characters
This fish has a dorsal fin with 11 spines and 12-14 rays, an anal fin with 4 spines and 8-9 (usually 9) rays, and a pectoral fin with 13-15 rays. Additionally, the last dorsal spine is equal to or slightly shorter than the penultimate spine and further from it than the first ray, the lower jaw is strongly projecting, and there are 3.5 scale rows above the lateral line to the base of the mid-dorsal spines, with 42-47 lateral line scales.