Adults are relatively easy to recognize by their characteristic long nose and the jerky flapping of their pectoral fins when swimming.

The anterior half or the first third of the body is light-colored: the belly and chest are pearly white, the scales of the flanks are grayish and lined with a dark border, the upper half of the snout is red-orange, a brown longitudinal fine line crosses the eye and the pectoral fins are translucent.

Its dominant color is greenish; the intensity varies from one individual to another, but also according to maturity and mating period.

A yellowish color, lighter green than the flanks, tints the shoulder of the pectoral fin.

[4] They frequent external slopes, reefs, and lagoon areas rich in hard coral.