Indo-West Pacific: Red Sea and Sodwana Bay, South Africa to the Mariana Islands, north to Taiwan; Palau and Guam in Micronesia; probably more widespread.

Highly variable in color. Adults 'bearded' with numerous tassels. Juveniles slender with tall dorsal fin (Ref. 48635). Third dorsal spine longest (2.05-2.5) in head; occipital pit absent or very shallow; snout very long (2.7-3.0 in head length); space between opercular spines naked; first dorsal spine short (1.85-2.5) in length of second spine; supraocular and postocular spines broadly joined in adults (only tip of supraocular spine showing) and flaring outward to form a shelf over posterior half of eye.

Inhabits clear-water outer reef slopes and channels from depths of 1 to at least 35 m, in areas with mixed rock and coral substrates. Venomous spines.