Indo-West Pacific: Indo-Australian Archipelago including India, Burma, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, New Guinea, New Britain, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, and Australia (northern Queensland).

Has a distinctive prominent preopercular spine that extends across the head-bar. Juveniles and males bright red, females become maroon to nearly black (Ref. 37816). Males are much smaller than females.

Inhabits lagoon and seaward reefs, found mainly in protected coastal waters and lagoons. Typically found in pairs in which males are much smaller than females.