Indo-West Pacific: southern Red Sea and East Africa (where common, to Indonesia, north to southern Japan, south to the Great Barrier Reef.

A relatively rare species occurring singly but usually in pairs over silty flat sand patches, or rubble substrates; a mound-building aperies. Usually found on outer reefs at the bottom of coral or rocky drop-offs, rarely in lagoons. Feeds on small burrowing animals by sifting mouthfuls of sand.