Indo-Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa to the Hawaiian Islands and southeastern Oceania, north to Japan, south to Australia.

The inner surface of the pectoral fin base is densely scaled. Body is generally bluish-gray grading to whitish on ventral parts; lips are yellow to pinkish. The area around the eye is often yellow or orange. Fins are generally without distinctive markings. The membranes are clear or dusky but often reddish to yellow-orange. The base of the upper pectoral fin rays and the inner base (i.e. the body side) of the pectoral axil are black. The caudal fin usually has blackish rays contrasted against the paler membranous part of the fin. Small juveniles (often also in large 20-30 cm individuals) whitish on lower half and with three prominent black saddles separated by narrower white bars on upper half. A vertical black bar crosses the eye from above.

Found in sand and rubble areas near coral reefs. Solitary fish are often encountered, but large adults usually form aggregations of up to about 50 individuals.