Eel-like body. The mouth is surrounded by four pairs of barbels. Two white horizontal stripes along the side.
Size : 33 cm
Habitat : In lagoons and coastal reefs, to seaweed patches and sandy surfaces near the reef, 1-60 m, usually above 30 m. Juveniles form dense, spherical schools. The fish move forwards as a compact mass, in which the position of the individual fish continuously changes making a “rolling ball”. Feeds on small bottom-dwelling crustaceans and molluscs. The first rays of the dorsal and pectoral fins have developed into poison stings, which, along with the formation of ball-shaped schools, appear to effectively discourage predators. Adults live in groups or alone below overhangs during the day.
Distribution : Red Sea and East Africa to S Korea, Kosrae n Micronesia, SE Australia and Samoa.