Indo-West Pacific: widespread, East Africa, Madagascar, Mauritius eastward to Japan, eastern Australia, Samoa. Introduced into Hawaii - apparently by accident - where it is now abundant. (most previous data published under the name Herklotsichthys punctatus). At least one country reports adverse ecological impact after introduction.

Elongate wing-like scales underneath paired pre-dorsal scales separate it from all other species except H. koningsbergeri and Herklotsichthys Species A which have prominent black spots on the flank and Herklotsichthys Species B which has dusky tips to dorsal and caudal fins and more lower gill rakers. Flank silvery with an electric blue line preceded by two orange spots located on each operculum.

Adults form schools near mangroves, shallow coastal bays and lagoons during the day and moves further offshore into deeper water by night. Known in mills around in large schools under wharves or along sandy beaches in protected bays. Are pelagic (Ref. 58302). Feeding occurs mainly at night on zooplankton, chiefly copepods by juveniles, and as adults, on larger prey organisms (chaetognaths, polychaetes, shrimps and small fishes). Breeding occurs on the first year and probably survive only a few months after maturity.