Range is restricted to eastern Australia, including Lord Howe Island, but it mainly occurs on the Great Barrier Reef from its northernmost extent to the east of Torres Strait (ca. -10.36°, 143.68°) southward to the Capricorn/Bunker Group, off Gladstone, Queensland (ca -23.9°). It is most abundant on the central and southern portions of the Reef south of about -18°. Its range also extends southward along the coast of New South Wales to Montague Island (ca. -36.25°), but judging from museum specimens it is apparently uncommon in the southernmost section of its range. (Ref. 125611). Also Ref. 2334, 4966, 7247, 75154.