Western Central Pacific: Moluccas north to the Marshall Islands, south to Rowley Shoals (?), the Great Barrier Reef, and Vanuatu.

Caudal fin truncate in both phases. Lips do not cover dental plates. Adults with 1-2 canines posteriorly on side of upper dental plate. The initial phase is reddish-brown with a diffuse yellowish patch in the center of the caudal peduncle and markings on the lips similar to those of the terminal male.

Found in clear coastal and inner reefs; in lagoons and channel reefs.