Indo-Pacific: Red Sea and Sodwana Bay, South Africa to the Line and Pitcairn islands, north to southern Japan, south to New South Wales (Australia) and Rapa.

Whitish with 5-6 black stripes. Secondary dark line extends backwards as far as the first dorsal fin, in large specimens.

Occurs inshore. Found in holes or ledges of outer reef flats in areas exposed to surge, to depths of about 10 m.