Indo-Pacific: East Africa to the Marquesas and Line islands, north to the Ryukyu Islands, south to Australia.

Adults grey or yellowish grey to brown with yellow fins. At night it is brown to red in color. With or without black side spot that can be turned on or off at will. Dorsal profile of head gently to moderately sloped. Preorbital width about equal to eye diameter. Preopercular notch and knob poorly developed. Scale rows on back rising obliquely above lateral line. Generally silvery white with yellow fins, and usually a black spot below the middle of the dorsal fin that is intersected by the lateral line.

Inhabits coral reef areas, usually close to shelter in the form of caves, large coral formations and wreckage. Usually solitary; occasionally occurring in small groups. Feeds mainly on fishes and benthic crustaceans, primarily crabs.