Indo-West Pacific: off Durban, South Africa, then from Mauritius to Indonesia. Reported from the Penghu Islands.

Golden yellow to cream with 18-27 prominent black saddles, a few meeting below. Dorsal and anal margin with irregular spots and golden marbling and spots on snout and head. Body broadly banded with black and white.

Inhabits sand flats of lagoon and seaward reefs to a depth of over 20 m. Burrowing species of inshore waters. Only the head is usually visible from the sand during the day.