This species inhabits rocky reefs, and nearshore and offshore coral reefs (Arndt and Fricke 2019). It has a close association with branching corals (i.e., Acropora, Pocillopora and Stylophora) (Fricke et al. 2009, Frédérich and Sheets 2010). It is found in small aggregations. It consumes zooplankton (Kuiter and Tonozuka 2001). It is a diandric protogynous hermaphrodite with only the largest fish in the colony becoming male and the second largest becoming female (Anzeer et al. 2019). It is a demersal spawner. Males will prepare nest sites by removing debris from the substrate and will guard the nest from other fishes. Males will also perform courtship displays by signal jumping and sound production to attract females (Parmentier et al. 2009). Eggs are attached to the substrate by a peripheral stalk (Anzeer et al. 2019). The maximum standard length is 6.5 cm (Frédérich and Sheets 2010).
