Adult: head and body yellowish-brown to grey-brown, whitish below; edges of dorsal, pectoral and sometimes anal and tail fins yellow; a prominent blue line from eye to corner of preopercle; adults can temporarily display the grid of white spots seen in juveniles. Juvenile: dark brown, a blue line from eye to edge of preopercle; a grid of pearl spots (7 columns of 4 spots each) on body; a shallow dark brown blotch on upper tail base that does not reach below the lateral line; dorsal fin with yellow edge; tail fin white to yellow, anal and pelvics blackish.