This leatherjacket species is usually found on seagrass beds or rocky areas. It is a blotchy brown to green in colouration, with a band across the eyes, faded bands across its back and a single band from its eyes to its snout. These markings are all much more pronounced in juveniles, who also have dark bands running from its eyes, down the side of its body, meeting at the tail. Along with its habitat, the stronger markings help to differentiate this species from other coastal Platycephalus species, while the much shorter snout and less flattened head distinguish it from Leviprora inops, a species which is otherwise very similar.
