Western Indian Ocean: Mozambique. Pacific Ocean: Indonesia to the Hawaiian and Tuamoto islands, north to southern Japan, south to the southern Great Barrier Reef, New Caledonia, and Rapa Island. Replaced by the similar Zebrasoma desjardinii in the Indian Ocean.

Smalls juveniles have alternating yellow and black bars. No brush-like patch of setae posteriorly on side of body.

Occurs in lagoon and seaward reefs from the lower surge zone to a depth of at least 30 m.