Indo-West Pacific: east coast of Africa (without verified records from the Red Sea) to Sri Lanka and farther eastward to the Gulf of Thailand, north to Japan and south to Australia.

Color silvery, bluish grey dorsally. Opercle with a small, black spot. Lateral line with 19-36 weak scutes. Pectoral fins falcate; 1st dorsal lobe slightly falcate. No scales on breast to behind pelvic origin and laterally to pectoral base, including the small area anteriorly just above fin.

Occurs in the continental shelf. Found near rocks and coral reefs, juveniles in sandy bays. Feeds on crustaceans, small squids, and fish.