Habitat: Marine, reef-associated. Areas of coral rubble, rocks and sand. Natural History Notes: Burrower and builder; excavates burrows by mouth and line holes with stones. Confines itself to its burrow during day (with head protruding). Males incubate eggs in their mouths. Feeds on gastropods, crabs and fishes. Depth: 0 - 12m Characteristics: Body light tan with several blotches along the sides. markings over the body and fins. A black spot in outer half of dorsal fin between the sixth or seventh spines and the ninth. When the mouth of adult males is broadly opened, the alternate white and black bands of the underside of the maxillary and adjacent membranes make a striking display; perhaps these markings play a role in threat behaviour. Females appear to lack the long double-banded maxillary, and there is only a single blackish band at the corner of the mouth.