Indo-Pacific: East Africa to the Austral Islands, north to southern Japan, south to southeastern Australia. Paracaesio xanthura, a complex of variable populations, may compose a single or two (or more) species. Paracaesio pedleyi, from Lord Howe Island, Middleton Reef, and eastern Australian waters, is included here with some reservation

Eye large; snout short, about equal to, or shorter than eye diameter. Interorbital space convex. Maxilla with or without scales. Scale rows on back parallel to lateral line. Pectoral fins long, reaching level of anus. Overall color is blue, sometimes whitish on belly and lower part of the head. A broad bright yellow stripe on the upper back extending from the forehead to the base of the caudal fin. The dorsal and caudal fins yellow, the other fins whitish or translucent.

Occurs over rocky bottoms, sometimes forming large schools.