Indian Ocean: Maldives, Gulf of Mannar, Sri Lanka, Andaman Sea, Strait of Malacca and northwestern Australia. Western Pacific: southern Japan to northeastern Australia, Most authors have incorrectly applied the name Nemipterus peronii to this species.

Suborbital spine absent. Preopercle with 3 transverse scale rows. Pectoral fins moderately long, reaching to or just short of level of anus. Pelvic fins moderately long, reaching to or just short of level anus. A line drawn up from posterior edge of suborbital reaching the dorsal profile at about the origin of dorsal fin. Females predominate at small sizes while males dominate the larger size classes. Maybe a sequential hermaphrodite. Axillary scale present. Color: Upper body iridescent pink, silvery white below. Lower margin of caudal fin white.

Inhabits sandy and muddy bottoms; also in sheltered estuaries.