[3] The genus epithet Plectroglyphidodon derives from the Greek words plektron (meaning = anything to strike with, spur), plus the suffixes glyphis (mening carved) and odous (meaning teeth).

[4] The background coloring is mainly light brown with very visible scales and a small vertical black bar crossing the rear of the body, just ahead of the caudal area.

The dorsal, pectoral and pelvic fins are yellow orange or light brown, while the caudal fin is white, more rarely orange, with a transparent blue shaded fringe on the rear.

[5][8] These damselfishes usually live in groups, but they are often encountered as solitary and highly territorial individuals.

Eggs are demersal and adhere to the substrate, always protected and aerated by the male.