Pacific Ocean: Cocos-Keeling Islands in the eastern Indian Ocean to Samoa and the Line Islands, north to southern Japan, south to Rowley Shoals (eastern Indian Ocean) and Lord Howe Island.

Color variable according to ecological and behavioral conditions: basically body whitish with snout, interorbital and forehead greenish; black bar on anterior and a fainter one on posterior part of the body; blackish scale margins; pelvic fins mostly black; pectorals transparent with a spot on its base. Margins of preorbital, suborbital, and preoperculum finely serrated.

Occurs in outer lagoon and seaward reefs. Inhabits branching coral heads, particularly Pocillopora eydouxi. Forms schools, often in silty habitats.