Belted cardinalfish are found in the waters of the western Atlantic Ocean, off Central and South America, inhabiting caves and holes.

[4] The scales of the belted cardinalfish have a toothed margin and are shed periodically.

They are distributed through the Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, and in waters off of northeastern South America.

[3] They are found in waters from northern South America north to southern Florida, including Bermuda.

[3] Belted cardinalfish inhabit caves and holes, and may be found among the spines of the long-spined urchin.