This species inhabits coral and rocky reef, including drop-offs and banks (Randall 1995, Stephenson et al. 2001, J. Robinson pers. comm. 2007). Juveniles can be more common on coral reefs at least in the Gulf, while adults are often found in deeper waters around sandy or rocky substrates (Carpenter et al. 1997a). In general, younger individuals are found in the shallower portion of its range while adults occur deeper (Allen and Erdmann 2012). Spawning aggregations have been reported during peak reproductive months (Wheeler and Ommanney 1953, Robinson et al. 2004), and non-aggregating spawning likely occurs at other times during the year (J. Robinson pers. comm. 2007). Its maximum total length is 90 cm (Allen and Erdmann 2012) and its maximum age is 30 years (Grandcourt 2005). In Australia, females mature at about 41 cm and the species has been aged to at least 22 years (Bray 2016).