Indo-West Pacific: Zanzibar (Tanzania) to Durban (South Africa), Madagascar and Sri Lanka; north to Okinawa, Ryukyus, south to the Arafura Sea, Australia and Fiji. Distribution in the Indian Ocean not well established.

Body color dark olive green to bluish grey dorsally, silvery white below; soft dorsal lobe olive grey to blackish. Upper part of opercle with a small blackish spot. 33-42 strong scutes. Pectoral fins falcate. 2 anal fin spines detached. Breast fully scaled.

Inhabits coastal waters, near coral reefs and rocks. Feeds on fish and crustaceans.