Body depth contained 2.9 to 3.3 times in standard length (for fish 11 to 45 cm standard length). Head length contained 2.3 to 2.5 times in standard length; interorbital area flat to slightly convex; dorsal head profile almost straight; preopercle rounded, finely serrate; opercular spines inconspicuous; upper edge of operculum distinctly convex; posterior nostrils of adults enlarged, 2 to 4 times larger than anterior nostrils; maxilla reaches past vertical at rear edge of eye; canines at front of jaws well developed, particularly the inner depressible teeth at symphysis of upper jaw; midlateral part of lower jaw with 2 rows of large teeth. Gill rakers 9 to 12 on upper limb, 15 to 19 on lower limb, 25 to 28 total; longest gill raker shorter than longest gill filaments. Dorsal fin with XI spines and 14 rays, the third to last spines subequal and shorter than longest dorsal-fin rays and the interspinous membranes incised; anal fin with III spines and 8 rays; pectoral fins large and fleshy, with 17 to 19 rays; pectoral-fin length contained 1.6 to 2.1 times in head length; pelvic fins not reaching anus, their length contained 2.1 to 2.5 times in head length; caudal fin rounded. Lateral-body scales smooth (except for area covered by pectoral fins), with auxiliary scales; lateral-line scales 63 to 71; lateral-scale series 111 to 126.
Colour: Head and body greyish brown or dark greenish brown with small irregular pale yellow or whitish spots; black saddle blotch on peduncle. Juveniles and subadults with 4 irregular, oblique, dark brown bars on body and a dark band from nape to eye; median and pelvic fins with narrow white margins on some fish. Large adults often uniformly dark brown or black, the underside of head pale and a few pale spots on cheeks.

Temperate and subtropical waters of the southwestern Pacific: Australia, Lord Howe Island, Norfolk Island, Kermadec Islands, and New Zealand (North Island and Poor Knights Islands). The Australian range extends from southern Queensland to Kangaroo Island off South Australia; reported from the Bass Strait, but not known from the coast of Tasmania.

Rocky reefs from near shore to depths of at least 50 m. E. daemelii is an aggressive territorial species that may occupy a particular cave for life. According to Francis (1988), sexual transition occurs at a length of 100 to 110 cm. Juveniles feed on crabs and fishes.

Attains at least 122 cm total length and a weight of 64 kg.