It is found off southeast Australia and the North Island of New Zealand from shallow depths to at least 55 m, on rocky reef and coastal areas.

The red morwong was first formally described in 1879 by the French naturalist Francis de La Porte Castelnau with the type locality given as Sydney market.

[5] The true taxonomic relationships of the taxa traditionally classified under the family Cheilodactylidae have been considered uncertain and to have been poorly supported by some authorities over a long period of time.

[8][9] The red morwong has a relatively short and deep and compressed body, its depth being 39-45% of its standard length.

The lips are thick and fleshy and there is a wide band small, pointed tee at the front of each jaw, tapering to a single row at the sides.

The low dorsal fin is continuous with long base, originating above the rear margin of the preoperculum.

Individuals fade to completely light coloured with around 7 to 8 dark blotches or bars along the middle of the flanks.

[12] The red morwong is wholly carnivorous and it preys on benthic invertebrates such as polychaetes, brachyurans, amphipods, gastropods and bivalves all year.

[14] The red morwong shows some sexual dimorphism, with males having larger protuberances on the head compared to females.