Indo-Pacific: Red Sea south to Sodwana Bay, South Africa and east to the Society Islands, north to the Ryukyu Islands, south to Shark Bay, Western Australia and the southern Great Barrier Reef.

The western Pacific population is monochromatic, but the western Indian Ocean population has a distinctive reddish primary phase. Juveniles recognized by the twin black spots on the tail.

Inhabits coral-rich areas of clear lagoons, channels, and outer reef slopes.