Indo-Pacific: East Africa, not including the Red Sea or the Arabian (Persian) Gulf, to the Tuamoto Archipelago, as far north as southern Japan and south to Mauritius and the Austral Islands.

Center of scales above lateral line bluish green with black margins, giving a checkered pattern; lower third of body white to pinkish. Turns bright red along lower half of the body at night (Ref. 48636).4-5 scales on cheek; 24-32 predorsal scales; dorsal and anal fins scaled. 2 Post maxillary processes; Upper peduncular scale rows usually 11 or 12 (11-13); lower peduncular scale rows usually 15 or 16 (15-18). Posterior end of maxilla tapered. Small process on basioccipital for attachment of Baudelot's ligament.

Ranges widely around coral reefs. Juveniles occasionally appear in large numbers in shallow lagoons and on reef flats. Feeds on zooplankton in midwater aggregations. Oviparous, with numerous, small pelagic eggs. Also caught by drive-in nets. Tuna baitfish.