Papuan Whiptail

This species is distinguished by the following characters: caudal fin forked with upper and lower rays as long trailing filaments; a single dusky (blue in life) stripe on side of snout; a pale-yellow stripe in life on middle of side that can be instantly 'switched' on or off; predorsal scales up to level between posterior margin of posterior nostrils; suborbital is scaled; lower limb of preopercle with 3 rows of scales; 45-46 lateral-line scales; 15-16 pectoral-fin rays; pelvic fins moderately long, in adult males, reaching level of anus (Ref. 80700).

Dorsal spines (total): 10; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9; Analspines: 3; Analsoft rays: 7

Usually observed on moderately sheltered outer reef slopes, over sand-rubble substrates, with occasional coral ridges and sea whips (Ref. 80700). Frequently in turbid waters, solitary or in groups (Ref. 90102).