This species of fish is found in tropical and subtropical oceans worldwide.

[2] In the Atlantic Ocean, it is found in west Africa.

In the Indian Ocean, its range is from the Red Sea, and the Persian Gulf south to eastern Africa, Madagascar, Seychelles, and Comoros.

In the Pacific Ocean, it is found off eastern Asia, around Hawaii, and New Zealand.

[2] This fish has 9 dorsal spines, 25 to 30 dorsal soft rays, 3 anal spines, and 19 to 22 anal soft rays.