The flame angelfish's coloration is bright orange-red with a vertical elongated black spot and four or five bars on the sides, the posterior part of the dorsal, and anal fins, with alternating short purple-blue and black bands. Males are generally larger and slightly more colored than females.

The flame angelfish has a varied diet consisting of algae and crustaceans. The life span of the flame angelfish is 5–7 years or more.

Found in various reefs in the western Pacific including the Hawaiian Islands, most common in Marshall, Line, and Cook Islands.  Particularly, the flame angelfish can be found on the fore slope of coral reefs and clear lagoons.