Western Pacific: from Indonesia to Vanuatu, north to the Ryukyu Islands, south to Australia.

Distance from insertion of pelvic spine to anal-fin origin 4.1-5.5 in SL Preopercular edge serrate. Scaly sheath along anal-fin base moderately developed. Some geographical variations. Usually a black band below second dorsal fin, but highly variable in width and may fade to barely a trace, or is completely absent. In Japanese and Indian Ocean populations, the band is usually narrow and often absent. Best identified by the two vertical orange stripes over gills and distinctive black peduncular spot.

Forms dense aggregations above or among the branches of Porites cylindrica and other branching corals of sheltered lagoons and inshore bays.