Indo-West Pacific: Arabian Sea to Vanuatu, north to the Ryukyu Islands, south to northern Australia.

Mouth large, adults with a thick, fleshy protrusion at anterior end of upper lip. Maxilla without scales. Interorbital space flattened to convex. Dorsal and anal fins without scales. Last dorsal and anal soft rays not produced. Pectoral fins long, reaching beyond level of anus. Scale rows on back parallel to lateral line.

Found over rocky bottoms of the continental shelf. Probably feeds on fishes and large invertebrates.