Indo-West Pacific: Malaysia east to Palau in Micronesia and the Solomon Islands, north to the Ryukyu Islands and south to the Great Barrier Reef.

Color is white or pinkish with about six red-brown stripes on side; 3-4 dark spots at the base of the caudal fin. Eyes iridescent blue. Small juveniles have yellow caudal peduncle with black spot in centre, mimicking the large-toothed Cheilodipterus species. That enables them to swim about more freely.

Found in small aggregates among or near mounds of branching corals such as Porites cylindrica or P. nigrescens (Ref. 1602). Nocturnal species. Has been reared in captivity.