Habitat: Marine, reef-associated. Inhabits rocky and coral reefs, reef tops and walls. Juveniles occur in shallow turtle grass beds. Depth range 2 - 137 m. Natural History Notes: Carnivorous, feed mainly on fish and squids. Sex reversal observed. Reaches at least 3 feet in length. Often rest on bottom in secluded spots. Its scientific name probably alludes to the toxic property of the flesh of occasional large individuals in regions where ciguatera is known. Will rise from the bottom to take trolled lires. Characteristics: Pectoral fins present a broad yellow margin, sharply delimited from the spotted basal portion of the fin. Dark grey or olive spots and subquadrate blotches on a white to gray or olive background (ends of rectangular blotches rounded). Can become very pale (over bare sand) or almost black (at rest under coral heads). Thin, irregular margin on caudal fin.