Pacific Ocean: Indonesia and the Philippines to the Marshall, Solomon and Marquesan islands, north to southern Japan, south to northwest Australia. Easily mistaken (particularly larger individuals) for either Lethrinus microdon or Lethrinus olivaceous. Common at Enewetak and Bikini Atolls.

Body is moderately elongate, its depth 3.1 to 3.4 times the SL. Color of body is yellowish with scattered indistinct dark blotches. The head is brown with light streaks; lips are reddish. The pectoral fin axil is orangish; the basal portion of the center rays is white, the outer edges is yellow. The pelvic and anal fins are white or yellowish. The dorsal and caudal fins are mottled brown or yellow with and orange or reddish edge. This species is readily confused with L. microdon but can be distinguished based on snout length. When specimens are fresh, the axil of the pectoral fin is red in L. amboinensis, while it is lacking in L. microdon (Ref. 2295). Has a distinct convex anterior snout profile but lacks distinctive markings.

Inhabits lagoons and deeper waters of coral reefs and adjacent sandy bottoms. Feeds mainly on fishes but also on mollusks, crustaceans, and sea urchins.