 The doubleband surgeonfish is a deep-bodied, laterally-compressed oval fish, rather over twice as long as it is deep, with a maximum length of , although a more typical length is .The colour is variable, the sexes being similar except in the breeding season, when the mature male takes on a distinctive appearance.This fish is usually orange-beige, olive-tan or steely grey, but can turn a dark brown shade flushed with red or purple when stressed.