Indo-Pacific: East Africa to the Hawaiian and Tuamoto islands, north to the Ogasawara Islands. The subspecies platura from the Red Sea to Persian Gulf, platyura in the rest of the Indo-Pacific, and argalus in the tropical Atlantic.

Gill rakers present; dorsal fin rays few, 12-15; caudal peduncle greatly depressed with very large keel on each side.

Probably the most common needlefish of reef flats, lagoons and bays where it occurs in groups of a few to several dozen. Carnivorous, feeding mainly on small fishes; marketed fresh. Oviparous. Eggs may be found attached to objects in the water by tendrils on the egg's surface.