Indo-West Pacific: East Africa to northern Australia and New Caledonia.

Body silvery; males usually with triangular bluish patch on side of belly; eyes greenish. Head naked; with nuchal spine. Protracted mouth pointing downward. 2nd dorsal and anal spines elongated.

Found in coastal waters. Stays near the substrate and feeds on small shrimps, other crustaceans, and polychaetes. A flighty species during the day.