Indo-West Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa to Samoa, north to the Ryukyu Islands.

Probably the largest, longest-snouted lethrinid. Crimson cast on face and fins may develop in large courting males. Body color is gray, becoming lighter ventrally, often with scattered irregular dark blotches. The snout has wavy dark streaks. The upper jaw, especially near the corner of the mouth, is sometimes edged with red. Very similar to L. microdon, but more scales above lateral line and caudal fin more forked when young.

Largest and the longest-snouted lethrinid. Found in sandy coastal areas, lagoons, and reef slopes.