Habitat: Marine. Reef-associated, 3-100 m. Natural History Notes: Omnivorous, adults feed on sponges, tunicates, zoantharian and algae. Juveniles feed mainly on algae and detritus, occasionaly remove ectoparasites from other fishes. Juveniles also found in sandy areas around holes or protective crevices in hard bottoms. Actively clean parasites and debris from larger fish. Usually in pairs, often near sea fans. Spawning pairs are strongly territorial, with usually both members vigorously defending their areas against neighboring pairs. Characteristics: Adults : black with the cales of the body, except those at front from nape to abdomen, rimmed with golden yellow. Broad yellow-orange bar at pectoral base and yellow dorsal filament. Rounded caudal fin. Juveniles : black with two yellow bars on body and three on head and one on foretail. Large and nearly round black spot on the center of caudal fin with a narrow pale or transparent margin. Yellow forehead band stops at base of upper lip.