Indo-West Pacific: Persian Gulf and the northern Indian Ocean to the Philippines and Queensland, Australia. Absent from the Red Sea and eastern coast of Africa.

Posterior edge of breast scales elongated to a point. Preopercular spines 4-9. Infraorbital and suborbital ridges bearing spines or serrae (some usually bicuspid). Preocular spines 2-6. Anterior 12-28 lateral line scales bearing a small spine or ridge; scales in rows above lateral line sometimes have a hook or tubercle. Total gill rakers frequently 8.

Found on the continental shelf on sand or mud bottoms.