Indo-West Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa to southern Japan and Queensland, Australia. Also from the Paracel Islands in the South China Sea. There are no records from Madagascar, Mauritius, Maldives, Laccadives, and Sri Lanka, Indonesia, and the Philippines.

Interorbital space slightly convex; preopercle rounded or sub angular, the serrae slightly enlarged; upper edge of the operculum almost straight; nostrils sub equal; maxilla reaches to or past vertical at rear edge of eye. Overall color is pale brownish gray with several dark brown to black widely-spaced blotches; head with smaller dark brown spots and streaks (many radiating from the eye); dark spots on fins small distally. Large adults may be nearly black.

Mainly found in deep reef channels and seamounts, in current prone areas. Juveniles may be found in tide pools. Feeds on reef fishes, skates, crabs, and spiny lobsters. Considered to be exceedingly territorial and very aggressive towards intruders. Vulnerable to spear fishers.