It is native to the eastern Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea where it is associated with reefs.

[3] Their colour varies from pink through to red and they have 3 yellow lines on the sides of their heads.

The pelvic fins are yellow in colour but when breeding those of the males turn red.

In the Eastern Atlantic it occurs from Portugal south to Angola and northern Namibia.

[1] It is widespread in the Mediterranean and has been recorded in the Canakkale Strait off Gallipoli but not in the Black Sea.

It emerges at night to feed on zooplankton, small crustacea and smaller fishes.