Indo-Pacific: Red Sea and Algoa Bay, South Africa to Rapa and Ducie islands, north to southern Japan, south to Perth, New South Wales. Likely at Seychelles. Eastern Pacific: Gulf of California to Ecuador. Eastern Mediterranean: off the coast of Shiqmona, first Lessepsian immigrant of Family Scaridae.

Distinctive yellow and blue-barred primary phase; terminal phase resembles that of S. forsteni.

Adults inhabit lagoon and seaward reefs, in slopes and drop-offs, often solitary but may sometimes occur in small groups. Males common in atolls where they live mainly around the inner and outer edges of barrier reefs at depths of about 30 ft; females prefer deeper habitat.