The horizontal lines of fine blue spots and dark oblique patches in the upper half of the body characterise the species. Males with three oblique blue lines through eye, rows of blue spots along body and top corner of tail translucent. Females and juveniles with ocelli at rear of dorsal fin and upper tail base. Distinguished from S. arquatus (Painted Rainbow Wrasse) by distribution and lack of ocellus at front of dorsal fin.  

• Max Size: 10 cm
• Sea Temperature Range: 17.8-24.9°C
• Depth: 1-6 m
• Habitat: Coral Reef, Rocky Reef, Seagrass

• IUCN Threat Status: Least Concern
• Occurrence: Frequent (13% of sites)
  Occurrence describes how often the species is found on surveys within its distribution. It is calculated as the % of reef sites surveyed by RLS divers across all the ecoregions in which the species has been observed
• Abundance: Few (2 per transect)
  Abundance is calculated as the average number of individuals recorded per RLS transect, where present.