Indo-West Pacific: Persian Gulf to the Philippines, north to Korea and southern Japan, south to northern Australia. Possibly in the Red Sea and eastern and southern Africa.

Occurs inshore and offshore, from the intertidal to at least 70 m depth. May enter brackish water. Feeds on worms, crustaceans, snails, and bony fishes.

With litters of up to 4 young. Size at birth about 17 cm. Caught frequently but in lower numbers, by bottom trawl and inshore gillnet fisheries in some areas. Utilized for its meat, but of limited value due to its small size.