The Checkerboard Wrasse can be recognised by its colouration, which varies as the fish grows. Juvenile Checkerboard Wrasse have alternating black and white bars on the body and a yellow-edged, black spot in the dorsal fin.

Adult Checkerboard Wrasse have a white body with a black spot between each scale, creating a checkerboard pattern.

The head is green with irregular pink-orange stripes. There is a yellow spot on the back below the fourth and fifth dorsal fin spines and a second yellow spot in the middle of the soft dorsal fin.

This species grows to 27cm in length.

Juvenile Checkerboard Wrasse are usually seen under ledges near deep sandy holes, or surgy areas. Adults inhabit lagoons and seaward reefs.

This fish feeds primarily on sand-dwelling gastropods, bivalves, hermit crabs, polychaetes and small fishes.

It is found in depths from 1m to 30m.