Indo-Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa to Indonesia and the Arafura Sea, north to Ryukyu and Ogasawara islands, south to New South Wales (Australia), New Caledonia, and the Austral and Pitcairn islands; throughout Micronesia. Eastern Pacific: Cocos and Galapagos islands, Panama to Costa Rica.

A small, slender shark with an extremely short, broad snout, oval eyes, and conspicuous white tips on the 1st dorsal (sometimes 2nd) and upper caudal fins; 2nd dorsal almost as large as 1st; no interdorsal ridge. Spiracles usually present, teeth 47-50/ 44-46, in at least 2 functional rows. Grey above, lighter below and sometimes with dark spots on sides. First dorsal-fin lobe and dorsal caudal-fin lobe with conspicuous white tips, second dorsal-fin lobe and ventral caudal-fin lobe often white-tipped.

Sluggish inhabitant of lagoons and seaward reefs where it is often found resting in caves or under coral ledges during the day, or usually on a sand patch, or in a channel. More active at night or during slack tide in areas of strong currents. Feeds on benthic animals such as fishes, octopi, spiny lobsters and crabs.