Indo-Pacific: East Africa to the Tuamoto Islands, north to southern Japan, south to central New South Wales (Australia) and New Caledonia. Not known from the Red Sea, Gulf of Oman, the Gulf, the Hawaiian Islands, Marquesas, Rapa, Pitcairn Islands, and Easter Island.

Prominent black spot at the rear base of dorsal and anal fins; adults with a bluish ring around the eye. Dorsal and anal fins dark brown. Caudal fin brown in adults, yellow in young. Edge of lips smooth. Upper teeth usually with 5 denticulations (not including tip).

Inhabits coral and rubble areas of deep lagoon and seaward reefs. Feeds by scooping film of detritus and unicellular algae (e.g. dinoflagellate Gambierdiscus toxicus) that produce ciguatera toxin making this species a key link in the ciguatera food chain.