Indo-Pacific: Red Sea to the Marquesan and Tuamoto islands, north to the Ryukyu and Hawaiian islands, south to Lord Howe Island.

Interorbital area and snout scaled; small spines at midline between tympanic spines frequently present; interorbital spines present; extra spines usually present on upper rear margin of eye after supraocular spine; dorsal spine, usually non longer than orbit diameter; body often covered with small skin flaps. Distinguished from other species of Scorpaenodes by having suborbital ridge with more than 5 spinous points, usually with 10 or more in adults.

Inhabits areas of rich coral growth from near shore to the outer reef slope.