Indo-West Pacific: Red Sea south to the southeastern coast of South Africa and east to New Caledonia and Vanuatu. Recently reported from Tonga. Due to a widespread confusion with Sphyraena putnamae and Sphyraena qenie, the exact range is uncertain.

Body with dark bars crossing lateral line, each bar oblique in upper half, but nearly vertical in lower half; caudal fin largely yellowish.

Found near prominent current-swept lagoon or seaward reefs; also in bays, estuaries and turbid inner lagoons. Diurnal and solitary, although the young form schools. Feeds mainly on fishes but also takes squid. Sold fresh, frozen or dried salted. Reports of ciguatera poisoning need confirmation.