Indo-Pacific: northern Red Sea and South Africa to Easter Island, north to southern Japan, south to Poor Knight's Island in New Zealand and Rottnest Island in Australia. Southeast Atlantic: False Bay, South Africa.

Color when fresh is greenish with pale and dark brown on scales, the latter almost covering entire scales. Head with irregular bands and spots, most distinct band on the chin. Somewhat fleshy lips, covering teeth in both jaws. Fleshy rim of anterior nostril expands dorsoposteriorly to a flap extending to or beyond posterior nostril. Yellow-orange iris with outer green ring. Flexible dorsal spines; deeply incised inter spinous membrane of dorsal fin. On males have caniniform teeth above the upper dental plates.

Found in sheltered bays, harbors and lagoons (Ref. 48636). Inhabits seagrass areas or areas with hard substrates heavy with algal cover. Usually occur in small groups. Unlike other parrotfishes, males and females look very similar and do not change sex.