Indo-Pacific: known only from the Red Sea and Christmas Island in the Indian Ocean; ranging to the Tuamoto Islands, north to southern Japan, south to New Caledonia and Rapa. Western Indian Ocean: Mozambique.

Body with 5 broad uniform dark brown to black stripes (suffused with red), the midlateral one ending in a dark spot at caudal base. Mouth oblique; anterior preopercular margin smooth, posterior serrate.

Occurs on reef flats and shallow lagoon reef, usually seen singly or in pairs under ledges or in crevices. Feed on small benthic invertebrates at night.