Indo-Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa to Hawaii, the Marquesas and the Tuamoto Islands, north to southern Japan, south to New South Wales and Rapa.

Scutes absent, has several semi-detached finlets at the end of dorsal and anal fins, and is covered with tiny needle-like scales imbedded in a tough skin.

Found only in relatively clear waters, adults in clear lagoon and seaward reefs, juveniles in shallow inshore and brackish waters. Pelagic. Mainly solitary but sometimes forms small loose groups. Adults feed on small fishes and crustaceans while juveniles feed on scales torn from schooling fishes. Venom glands were not visible, not able to be confirmed in specimen.