Indo-West Pacific: Persian Gulf and along the coast of India to the Philippines, north to Japan, south to Australia.

Occur in shallow coastal waters and enters river mouths and estuaries. Schooling species; often feeds on tidal flats. Feed mainly on echinoderms, worms, crustaceans and mollusks. Mainly exploited by artisanal fisheries. Sold fresh in markets. A popular angling species, often caught with hook and line and sometimes taken by trawlers.