Indo-West Pacific: Persian Gulf and east coast of Africa (south to Algoa Bay and perhaps to Knysna, South Africa) to Fiji, north to southern Japan, south to the northern coast of Australia.

Some pairs of moderately large canines in anterior part of both jaws, 6 to 13 lateral teeth in lower jaw, stronger and more widely spaced than those of upper jaw. Gill rakers pointed, longer than broad. Soft ray count of pectoral fin refers to that on ocular side.

Found in shallow waters and estuaries, on mud and sand bottoms, to depths of 200 m.