The back is pinkish-red in colour contrasting with the white belly, from which it is separated by single longitudinal yellow stripe which runs from the operculum to the caudal fin peduncle.

[3][4] Upeneus moluccensis has an Indo-West Pacific distribution, occurring from the Red Sea to New Caledonia and as far north as Japan,[2] and south to northern Australia.

[3] Upeneus moluccensis prefers sandy or muddy substrates where it searches for its food, mainly benthic crustaceans using chemoreceptors on its barbels.

[1] Upeneus moluccensis is sold fresh in markets as well as being utilized for fish meal and valued for its roe.

[2] It is regarded as a "trash fish" by fishermen in the South China Sea because of its relatively small size.