Body oblong, compressed; head large, snout short; eye large; teeth small, no canines, usually present on center and sides of roof of mouth; gill rakers (including rudiments) 4-5 + 11-12; preopercle serrated, lower membranous flap not extending beyond edge of preoperculum; dorsal rays VI + I, 9; anal rays II, 8; pectoral rays 11-12; tail fin moderately concave; body scales rough; last few scales on tail fin; a row of scales along center of nape; lateral line complete, extends onto base of tail fin; lateral-line scales 24-26.
Red to pinkish red; yellowish wash on head, breast, and belly; a short black bar on upper back below second dorsal fin; black stripe from snout through eye; pair of golden stripes through eye.
Size: grows to 10 cm.
Inhabits rock and coral reefs.
Depth: 1-60 m.
Southern California to the central Gulf of California to central Peru, Galapagos and Malpelo.
