Indo-Pacific: Red Sea and the Persian Gulf to Natal, South Africa and east to Fiji, north to Japan, south to the Arafura Sea and northern Australia. Recently recorded from Tonga. Appears to be absent from Micronesia, Polynesia, and most islands of the western Indian Ocean. Often confused with Epinephelus chlorostigma.

Usually found in seagrass beds or on fine sediment bottoms near rocky reefs, dead coral, or alcyonarians, in shallow continental shelf waters. Juveniles are common at water depths to 80 m. Probably spawn during restricted periods and form aggregations when doing so. Eggs and early larvae are probably pelagic. Feed on fish and benthic invertebrates, primarily prawns and crabs