This large leatherjacket species is common on rocky reefs, or anywhere else there is a rocky hiding place. Very shy, this species can often be found hiding in crevices or behing boulders, with only its head sticking out, intently watching the intruder. If cover is not available, it will flatten itself against a rock and lie still. This species varies in appearance greatly throughout its lifespan, from white with horizontal brown bands in juveniles and smaller females, transitioning to a greyish brown with a neon blue body margin as young males, and finally developing the large blotchy yellow patch that is seen on the body of large males. This species is similar to Meuschenia australis, which is much less common in SA, and does not have any spines on its caudal peduncle or the neon blue margin (in males). It is also extremely similar to Meuschenia trachylepis. Although that species is not reliably found in South Australia, it can nonetheless be distinguished by its lack of facial markings, compared to M. freycineti's maze of neon blue lines.
