Indo-West Pacific: Andaman Sea (Phuket), Malayan Archipelago, Indonesia, Philippines, Taiwan, Ryukyu Islands, Palau, New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, and northern Australia.

Previously referred to as Paraglyphidodon behnii by Allen. Long-tailed and black as adults; juveniles distinctively yellow with two black stripes. Two forms: long-tailed and black as adults occurs in the Andaman Sea, ranging east to western Bali and north to Japan. Second form, probably valid as N. xanthurus occurs in the rest of the West Pacific and the two overlap in range on Bali's north coast.

Occur in coral-rich areas of lagoon and seaward reefs.