Indo-Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa to Samoa, north to southern Japan, south to the Arafura Sea, Australia, and Lord Howe Island.

Lower opercular spine extending well beyond the opercular flap. Post temporal bone exposed posteriorly and serrate. Body color is fawn above, cream below, nape dark; head, body and fins with and iridescent sheen. Three or four curved dark brown bands run from the nape to the hind part of the body, the lowermost continuing across the middle of the caudal fin.

Found over shallow sandy bottoms, in the vicinity of river mouths. Enter estuaries and rivers.