Indo-West Pacific. Red Sea and south to Delagoa Bay, Mozambique. Migrated to the Mediterranean through the Suez Canal. Also occurs in the Arafura.

Dark vertical bar present below each dorsal fin and on caudal base; a fourth bar may be present between the 2nd dorsal and the caudal base; normally with large ocellus above pectoral fins; pelvic fins black, pectoral fins light, other fins dusky to dark in color.

Occurs inshore and in deep offshore reefs.