Indo-West Pacific: Maldives and India to Papua New Guinea, north to southern Japan, south to Lord Howe Island.

Body compressed, its width 3.3-4 in depth. Normally yellow, but sometimes nearly all black and juveniles take-on colors of the local venomous Meiacanthus blennies that are yellow or grey.

Mainly in coastal habitats in semi-silty conditions; also found near caves and crevices in rocky and coral reefs from a few meters to at least 100 m. A predator that feeds on surprisingly large prey, swallowed whole through its expandable jaws.