Indo-Pacific: Seychelles, Maldives, Andaman Sea, Philippines, Palau, and Line Islands Reported from Indonesia. Line Islands and East Africa.

Preserved color blackish brown; black above and behind lips; mouth encircled by a bluish white band; a wide white band across the chest; caudal base with a broad bluish white band; white peduncular spine. Fins black; pectoral with a white band on posterior third.

Occurs in clear seaward reefs near drop-offs.