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

Dorsal profile of head steeply sloped. Preorbital bone about equal in width to eye diameter. Preopercular notch and knob well developed. Scale rows on back rising obliquely above lateral line. Generally tan or brownish to pale yellow-white. Scales with brownish to yellow margins. The caudal and dorsal fins are blackish with narrow white margins; the anal pectoral and pelvic fins are yellow. Striped when young.

Inhabit lagoon and semi-protected seaward reefs. Prefer sheltered areas with deep holes or large boulders.