In the Pacific its range extends east to Hawaii, north to the Ryukyu and Ogasawara islands of southern Japan and south to Australia.

Spawning was recorded as taking place in the spring and summer in Vanuatu, reaching its peak in November and December.

[1] Aphareus rutilans was first formally described in 1830 by the French zoologist Georges Cuvier with the type locality given as the Red Sea but it may also have been Mauritius or Indonesia.

[6] Aphareus rutilans is frequently encountered in fish markets in its range, it is largely caught using handlines and vertical long lines.

[3] It is a locally common species throughout much of its range and so makes up an important component of the catch for many deep water fisheries.