Eastern Atlantic: off the African coast, from Senegal to Southwest Africa, with a single record from St. Helena. Western Atlantic: off the coast of New Jersey (USA), Bermuda, Bahamas, Gulf of Mexico and throughout the island groups of the Caribbean to the southernmost coast of Brazil. Indo-Pacific: Red Sea and the East African coast to the Society and Hawaiian islands, north to Japan, south to Australia and New Zealand.

Color variable, often light yellow, orange, green, gray or brown with black stripes or elongate blotches, sometimes solid black. Prominent lines radiate from eye. Bone supporting illicium extends in front of upper lip. Length usually to about 20 cm, but occasionally larger in subtropical zones.

Inhabit rocky and coral reefs, on rocks, sand or rubble. Found in weedy estuaries along the east coast of southern Africa. In the Atlantic, it is found at an average depth of 40 m. Benthic. Observed to inflate itself greatly like the puffers. Oviparous. Males have more intense coloration and extended cutaneous appendages than females. Eggs are bound in ribbon-like sheath or mass of gelatinous mucus called 'egg raft' or 'veil'.