Indo-Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa to the easternmost islands of the Pacific Plate. Eastern Pacific: in tropical coastal waters.

Color variable, usually yellow, red or pale tan, often with a weakly pigmented dark spot at posterior dorsal fin base. Illicium about equal to the length of the 2nd dorsal spine. Esca a spherical whitish blob or it may be filamentous. Last ray of pelvic fin bifurcate. Caudal peduncle absent.

Collected from tide pools as well as lagoon and seaward reefs; secretive among rocks and sponges. Benthic . Oviparous. Eggs are bound in ribbon-like sheath or mass of gelatinous mucus called 'egg raft' or 'veil'.