Indo-Pacific: East Africa south to Durban, South Africa and east to the Tuamoto Islands, north to the Ryukyu and Hawaiian islands, south to Shark Bay, Western Australia and the southern Great Barrier Reef. Eastern Pacific: Gulf of California to the Galapagos Islands.

Some geographical variations. Indonesia adults usually have darker front half that is defined into a broad pale band at night.

Occurs in seaward reefs. Usually over rocky or coral substrates, at boulder-strewn slopes at the base of high-island cliffs where it may occur in large schools. Large adult usually on upper parts of deep slopes, but seen to about 35 m depth.