Western Pacific: Philippines, Indonesia, New Guinea, northeastern Australia (Cape York to northern Great Barrier Reef) Belau, Truk, Caroline Islands, Marshall Islands, and the Solomon Islands. Reported from Malaysia.

Inhabits drop-offs and steep channel slopes. Very little has been published on its biology. Reported to forage in groups of two or three for rock- and sand living crustaceans and fishes. Rare in most areas. In the Hong Kong live fish markets.

Reports of ciguatera poisoning.