Indo-Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa (south to Bazaruto Island, Mozambique) to the Hawaiian, Tuamoto, and Marquesan islands, north to the Ryukyus, south to the southern Great Barrier Reef.

Color pale greyish brown with 16-21 dark bars; bars becoming indistinct on large individuals; top of head yellow; corner of mouth with a dark brown spot. Vertebrae 132-135.

Found in clear waters of lagoons and seaward reefs. Benthic. Feeds on fishes and crustaceans, mainly at night.