Western Pacific: Sumatra to Vanuatu, north to the Ryukyu Islands, south to New Caledonia. Recently recorded from Tonga.

Color in life white with 3 black bars; has a black area over the outer two-thirds of the tail, which distinguishes it from D. aruanus; pelvic fins black; pectoral fins transparent. Tubed lateral lines scales 16 to 17.

Margins of preorbital, suborbital, and preoperculum finely serrated. Schooling species, inhabits sheltered lagoons, harbors and inlets. Also in somewhat open substrates with outcrops of Acropora corals.