The species in this genus are found in fresh, brackish, and salt waters.

These fish have big, fleshy lips and tend to live on coral reefs in the Indo-Pacific in small groups or pairs.

At nightfall, they venture from their shelters to seek out their bottom-dwelling invertebrate prey, such as bristleworms, shrimps, and small crabs.

Juveniles may be banded or spotted and are usually a completely different colour from the adults of their species.

Small juveniles have an undulating swimming pattern, possibly mimicking poisonous flatworms as a means of predator avoidance.