Distinctive Characters: Dorsal fin with 13-14 spines and 18-19 rays. Anal fin with 3 spines and 18-19 rays.Pectoral fin rays 16-17. Body not as deep as Pomacanthus spp. Lateral line terminates below end of dorsal fin. About 8 rows of scales on operculum. It has brilliant orange colour with about 8 black-edged white bars on sides between nape and caudal peduncle. Blue lines on head and anal fin. Juveniles with large black spot on base of dorsal fin, becoming diffused blue patch in adults.
While animals are collected extensively for the aquarium trade in some areas, this does appear to constitute a major threat to the species. There are no other major threats to the species.