Distribution & Ecology: Gambier (Akamaru); Pitcairn; Society (Huahine, Maiao?, Moorea, Tahiti); Tuamotu (Fangataufa, Makatea, Makemo, Marutea South, Pukapuka, Rangiroa, Raroia, Tikehau) - Marine; Shoreline to 10 m; Sublittoral (up to 80-100m, cf. Stephenson); Hard bottom.

Regional Records: Carupa tenuipes Dana, 1852a: 85 (Tuamotu); 1852b: 279; 1855, pl.17, fig. 4a-e ("Paumotu archipelago?"). - A. Milne Edwards, 1861: 386 (Tuamotu; Dana's material). - Stephenson & Rees, 1967: 5 (Huahine, Moorea, "Maiai" = Tikehau, "Tickahau" = Tikehau). - Sakai, 1976: 325 (Syn.). - Stephenson, 1976: 12 (Pukapuka; deep up to 80-100 m for specimens collected around Pitcairn Island !). - Monteforte, 1984: 173, annex 1, tab. a (Makatea, Moorea); 1987: 8 (Moorea). - Guinot, 1985: 449 (List). - Carupa laeviuscula Heller, 1862: 520 ("Tarti" = Tahiti); 1865: 27, pl.3, fig. 2 (Tahiti). - Nobili, 1907: 386 (Akamaru, "Marutea-Vaitutaki" = Marutea South). - Rathbun, 1907: 64 (Makemo). - Holthuis, 1953: 9 (Raroia). - Morrison, 1954: 13 (Raroia). - Forest & Guinot, 1962: 58 (Biogeography "Tahiti-Tuamotu"). - Poupin, 1996a: 29 (Checklist, with a new record at Tikehau) - New material - Coll. & det. J. Poupin, May 1997, (Fangataufa). - Unpublished records, coll. G. Paulay, Rangiroa, November 10, 2001, ca. 1 km S. of NW point of atoll off Motu Maeherehonae, FLMNH-UF 1564, specimens characterized by purple eye rings, to be described as a new species by Ng; FLMNH-UF 1437 typical coloration of C. tenuipes. - Moorea Biocode project (with a '?').

Depth distribution: 0 - 100 m