Indo-Pacific: northern Mozambique to French Polynesia, north to Okinawa, south to the northern Great Barrier Reef. Unknown from the Red Sea and Persian Gulf. Recorded from Europa Island.

Readily identified by the white square on their sides, blue in natural light. Differs from all shallow water Micronesian Cephalopholis except C. polleni by having truncate tail.

An active swimmer usually found on outer reef slopes and channels adjacent to deep water. Hovers above the bottom and probably feeds primarily on fishes. It is uncommon and usually solitary, however Myers reported of occasional sightings of groups of 3 or 4 fish.