Species is distributed in the Eastern Pacific Ocean from Mexico in the Gulf of Tehuantepec to Lobos de Tierra Island, Peru and Galapagos. Occurs at depths from 2 to 20m in bottom soft mud. Adults are found in the marine environment. Juveniles are found in the estuarine environment (SeaLifeBase n.d.). Stock structure is not known, the map regards the species' distribution.

Costa Rican trawling has strongly reduced the abundance of this species in the Gulf of Nicoya, such that the fleet has moved onto targeting other species (Noguera, L.H. et al. 2016).