Bright vertical stripe behind the eye; caudal fin with white edge. The similar S. albicaudatus has a root that is also white.
Size : 22 cm
Habitat : In shallow lagoons and outreefs, 1-30 m. Territorial, prefers free surfaces with scattered coral and hard and sandy ground. In turbid as well as in very clear areas. Feeds on invertebrate bottom-dwellers.
Distribution : East Africa to S Japan, Micronesia and Samoa.