Distribution : Li & Bruce (2006) - Type locality: Egyptian Red Sea. Also known from Gulf of Aqaba, Sudan, Ethiopia (Eritrea), Yemen, Kenya, Zanzibar, Mozambique, Madagascar, Seychelles, La ReŽunion, Mauritius, Maldives, Chagos Islands, Sri Lanka, Andaman Islands, Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam, South China Sea, Japan, Philippines, Indonesia, Australia (Western Australia, Northern Territory, Queensland), Coral Sea, Loyalty Islands, Fiji, Marshall Islands, USA (French Frigate Shoal, Johnson Atoll, Hawaii), and Easter Island. Plus French Polynesia. - Shallow-waters; Coral obligate associate (Pocillopora, Seriatopora, Stylophora, rarely Acropora).