Indo-West Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa to eastern Australia.

Body light blue to brownish dorsally, white to pinkish ventrally. Broad yellow stripe just under lateral line. 4-5 cheek scales; 21-27 predorsal scales; scaled dorsal and anal fins. Upper peduncular scale rows usually 11 (11-13); lower peduncular scale rows usually 15 (14-17). Ventrolateral surface of basioccipital with a broad process for insertion of Baudelot's ligament. Post maxillary with 2 processes; posterior end of maxilla tapered. Small conical teeth in jaws, vomer and palatines.

Ranges widely around coral reefs. Found in schools. Feeds on zooplankton in large midwater aggregations. Oviparous, with numerous, small pelagic eggs. Also caught by drive-in nets. Valuable tuna baitfish.