Indo-Pacific: Red Sea south to Zanzibar and east to the western Pacific (Japan south through the Philippines to southeastern and western Australia, east to Samoa (excluding the Cook, Society and Marquesas islands) and the Tuamoto Islands. Occurs in Palau and the Marshall Islands.

Maxilla toothed, triangular pre-maxillae, 2 supra-maxillae, second supra-maxilla asymmetrical (lower part larger than upper part), vertical striae on scales not meeting at center; W-shaped pelvic scute; few branchiostegal rays.

Usually an inshore schooling species, inhabiting relatively clear waters of coastal, lagoon, and seaward reefs. Relative fecundity is 1596 eggs per unit body weight. Caught with beach seines, purse seines, ringnets and dipnets. Marketed fresh or dried-salted.