Indo-Pacific: Red Sea to the Line and Mangaréva islands, north to Ryukyu Islands, south to southern Great Barrier Reef and Austral Islands. Replaced by Apogon abrogramma in the Indian Ocean.

Basicaudal spot is centered slightly above the level of the lateral stripe.

Found under ledges or among isolated coral heads in silty inner reef areas. Solitary and rather rare. Nocturnal species.