Late post-larvae drift inshore, where they change into juveniles. The larvae lose their silver color and turn brown. Their profiles become round. The prominent dorsal and anal spines that are characteristic to the larvae reduce, while the scalpel gets bigger. Complete metamorphosis takes about a week, after which two-inch long juveniles settle onto the bottom.
Juveniles grow rapidly, attaining sexual maturity in as little as nine months.
The adults can reach sizes of up to 14 inches in length. An unwary human who tries to handle the doctorfish risks the chances of being badly cut by the scalpel. The flesh is of good quality, but is not highly valued in most places.