Western Pacific: Andaman Sea and Rowley Shoals in the eastern Indian Ocean to Fiji, north to the Ryukyu Islands, south to Lord Howe Island. Recently recorded from Tonga.

Body color is uniformly yellow. Similar to P. amboinensis, but lacks ocellus at all stages.

Inhabits clear lagoon and seaward reefs among branching corals. Occurs in small aggregations. Feeds mainly on algae and planktonic crustaceans.