Indo-Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa to Samoa and Tonga, north to the Ryukyu Islands, south to New Caledonia.

Fish is olivaceous to dark yellowish gray, the centers of the scales often with light blue iridescence. A dark brown streak runs along the margin of each caudal fin lobe.

Schools above branching corals along upper margins of clear lagoon and outer reef slopes. Often associated with branching Acropora.