The old woman angelfish is regarded as a rather dull looking fish. It is a bronze-brown colour with paler hindquarters.
Juveniles of the species have blue vertical bars, which they lose at maturity.
The old woman angelfish lives in small groups near the coast (east coast of Africa), feeding on algae and seafloor invertebrates. Juveniles remain in tidal pools or are swept away by the Agulhas current.
The old woman angelfish is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN and has a stable population.
Inhabits coral reefs no deeper than 50m.