Male: range with yellow spots on body scales, crimson spot on pectoral fin. Extended dorsal fin ray. Female: Orange with violet edged red-orange-coloured cheeks stripes.
Size : 15 cm
Habitat : In clear lagoons and outer reef slopes, 1-35 m. Especially in front of reef crowns and at coral heads, forms small or large, sometimes colossal groups. A male usually guards a harem of 5-10 females.
Distribution : Red Sea and East Africa to SW Japan, Palau, Solomons, SE Australia and Fiji.