[3] Chelmonops curiosus has a very deep strongly compressed body, which is more than half its standard length.

In juveniles the soft part of the dorsal fin is rounded but it is pointed in adults and has a triangular profile when raised.

[4] The background colour of this fish is steel grey with amounts of black shading different for each individual.

They are marked with 4 vertical black bars with silver edged margins, becoming broader towards the tail.

[4] Chelmonops curiosus is found on coastal rocky reefs, seeming to prefer vertical rock faces,[4] often where the water is turbid and they will use man-made structures such as pylons and jetties.