Indo-Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa (to Port Elizabeth, South Africa, to the Hawaiian Islands.

Blue green above, paler below; 5-6 dusky bands on sides; sometimes with inconspicuous golden spots.

Found in coastal waters adjacent to sandy beaches; also found to depths of 60 m, often near reefs. Pelagic. Singly or in small groups. Feeds mainly on crustaceans, mollusks and small fish that are abundant in the lagoons. Excellent food fish, the flesh is rarely poisonous.