Indo-Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa to the Line and Mangaréva islands, north to Taiwan, south to New Caledonia.

Whitish with 5 horizontal stripes (brassy to dark brown in color); dark spot at base of middle caudal fin rays; fin rays light red.

Commonly found in clear-waters of seaward reefs; on reef crests and slopes, where usually shallow, and along deep drop-offs to 25 m. Feeds on polychaetes and other small benthic invertebrates at night; cryptic under ledges or in holes by day.