Indo-Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa to Hawaii and Tonga, north to southern Japan, south to Australia, New Zealand and Kermadec Islands. Eastern Pacific: southern California.

Body very elongate; lower jaw very prolonged; upper jaw short, triangular, and scaly; teeth present on vomer and tongue; dorsal fin with 22 to 25 rays; anal fin with 22 to 24 rays; pectoral fins long, with 8 or 9 rays; back iridescent blue green; belly silvery. Fins unpigmented.

Usually oceanic but enters large open bays.