In adults, the head is large and bright green, with small spots.

Close to the operculum is a characteristic bright-yellow marking on a black background.

It has a long fringed caudal fin, resembling an old broom (hence the common name) or the tail of a crowntail betta.

This species occurs in the Red Sea to the Gulf of Oman (mainly near Djibouti, Eritrea, the Seychelles, and Somalia).

Broomtail wrasses can be found on coral reefs and on adjacent sand and seagrass habitats, at depths of from 2 to 30 m (6.6 to 98.4 ft).