Indo-Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa through the Indian Ocean islands to western Australia, New Guinea, Philippines, and islands of Oceania. Not found in Hawaiian islands, and apparently absent from Indo-Malayan Archipelago. Has been mentioned in the literature under other names, particularly Hyporhamphus erythrorinchus and Hyporhamphus dussumieri.

Body deep blue above, silvery stripe on side, silvery white below; caudal fin bluish, other fins unpigmented; tip and distal half of underside of lower jaw bright carmine red.

Found chiefly around coral reefs and islands but extends a little further from shore than Hyporhamphus (R.) dussumieri which has a similar range.