Pacific Ocean: Cocos-Keeling Islands and Rowley Shoals in the eastern Indian Ocean to the Line and Tuamoto islands, north to the Ryukyu Islands, south to the Great Barrier Reef and New Caledonia. Replaced by Hipposcaurs harid in the Indian Ocean.

Small juveniles are light brownish with a broad longitudinal orange band; the primary phase is a whitish brown to light gray with a yellowish tail; the terminal phase is light blue and green. Adults best recognized by the shape of the head.

Inhabits turbid lagoons more than outer reef areas. Usually seen in aggregations; females usually in small groups. Large adults may occur to depths of at least 40 m.