Indo-Pacific: East Africa to the Hawaiian, Marquesan and Pitcairn islands, north to the Ryukyu Islands, south to New Caledonia and the Austral Islands; throughout Micronesia.

Inhabits upper portions of outer reef slopes. Benthopelagic. Hovers above the bottom, facing the current to feed on zooplankton, copepods, and crustacean larvae. Several individuals may share the same hole (especially juveniles). Has a habit of flicking its pennant-like first dorsal fin back and forth