Colour variable but usually with a reddish tinge, scales with lighter centres prominent front 'vampire' teeth, and an oblique groove in front of a yellow eye. Juveniles brown-grey with 2 white spots high on back, distinct black upper and lower tail margins and a black bar through eye. At very small size could be confused with some Chromis damselfishes. Should not be eaten because of risk of ciguatera poisoning.

• Max Size: 90 cm
• Sea Temperature Range: 22.3-31.3°C
• Depth: 4-180 m
• Habitat: Coral Reef
• Habitat Generalisation Index: 21.2
  Also referred to as the SGI (Species generalisation index), this describes the habitat niche breadth of the species. Species with values less than 15 are found in a relatively narrow range of reef habitat types (specialists), while those over 25 may be found on most hard substrates within their range (generalists). Learn more here

• IUCN Threat Status: Not Evaluated
• Occurrence: Common (27% of sites)
  Occurrence describes how often the species is found on surveys within its distribution. It is calculated as the % of reef sites surveyed by RLS divers across all the ecoregions in which the species has been observed
• Abundance: Few (3 per transect)
  Abundance is calculated as the average number of individuals recorded per RLS transect, where present.