Pacific Ocean: Philippines to the Society Islands, north to Ryukyu Islands, south to southern Australia (including Lord Howe Island) and Rapa Island; throughout Micronesia. Replaced by Amblygobius albimaculatus in the Red Sea and Amblygobius semicinctus in the western Indian Ocean.

Inhabits coastal reefs and lagoons on sand and rubble margins of algal reefs and sometimes near seagrass beds. Feeds by sifting mouthfuls of sand and expelling it through the gills, to capture small invertebrates, organic matter, and large quantities of algae.