Indo-West Pacific: Seychelles, then southern India to New Caledonia and Gilbert Islands, extending northward to the Ryukyu Islands Replaced by Lutjanus ophuysenii from southeastern China and Taiwan to southern Korea and Japan.

Dorsal profile of head 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 whitish or pink with a yellowish brown to black stripe on the middle of the side. Juveniles and sub-adults with an intensely black mid-lateral stripe and an oval black spot, eye-sized or greater, lying in the middle of the stripe below last dorsal spines. Adults with yellow median fins.

Inhabits the vicinity of coral reefs, also areas with flat bottoms and occasional low coral outcrops, sponges, and sea whips. Occurs singly or in groups of up to about 30 individuals. Feeds on fishes, shrimps, crabs and other benthic invertebrates.