Freckleface Podge

Body and median fins of live specimens dark red; mottled with dark brown ; head dark red to reddish gray, lower half abruptly paler. No distinct dark spot or ocellus on opercle. No dermal flap or small tentacle dorsally on eye. One large pore in interorbital space on each side close to the edge of the orbit; a small median pore posteriorly in interorbital space. Tubular anterior nostril long, on edge of snout at the base of the upper lip; when laid back reaching or nearly reaching the posterior nostril; when bent forward, extending to front of upper lip. Scales without projecting ctenii on posterior edge. Longitudinal scale series 52-56.

Dorsal spines (total): 7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 22 - 25; Analspines: 3; Analsoft rays: 19 - 22; Vertebrae: 26 - 28

Benthic in coral (Ref. 58302). Minimum depth reported taken from Ref. 30874. Cryptic (Ref 90102).