The preopercle is mostly rounded, with three large, downward pointing spines along the bottome half.

[3] This species has two colour phases, one with black saddles on a whitish background colour with a yellow caudal peduncle and yellow fins is known as the "footballer phase"; the other being a greyish form which has a dark head, five dark saddle markings along the back and small blue spots on body.

The juveniles are Batesian mimics of the toxic Valentin's sharpnose puffer (Canthigaster valentini).

In eastern Africa it occurs from Kenya to Mozambique through islands of the tropical Indian Ocean, but not the Asian coast, and east into the Pacific Ocean as far east as French Polynesia and Pitcairn Island, north as far as southern Japan and south as far as Australia.

[3] This species forages over larger areas and a wider depth range than the sympatric Plectropomus leopardus.