It can be found in depths of 55 to 82 m (180–269 ft) in Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu;[1] reports from the Philippines is due to confusion with C.

[4] The species has 11 dorsal spines, nine dorsal soft rays, 3 anal spines, and 9 anal soft rays.

[6] Until 2020, it was commonly confused with C. briangreenei of the Philippines; the most distinct differences are that adult males of C. briangreenei have a large blackish spot on the dorsal fin and a blackish tip of the tail, which are lacking in C.

[8] The specific name of this fish honours the ichthyologist Richard Pyle.

[5] of the Bishop Museum (Honolulu), who collected type specimen.