Knowm from sites off Floreana, Gardiner Bay, Hood, Tagus Cove, Isabela, Marchana, James Bay and Sullivan Bay, Santiago, Wreck Bay, San Cristobal, Academy Bay, Santa Cruz, and Santa Fe. Apparently this species prefers open water near drop-offs, although individuals are found in a variety of inshore habitats to depths of 30 meters. It is not a common species and resident aggregations have strong preferences for specific sites. Feeds mainly on plankton in the water column, usually in heterotypic aggregations with Chromis atrilobata. Prior to the 1982-83 El Niño, a small aggregation frequented the shallow water just west of Pinnacle Rock at Bartolomé. But despite intensive observations during the decade after this event, no records of this species were made (Ref. 28023). Also Ref. 7247, 9405, 94512.