Indo-Pacific: Mauritius to the Line and Tuamoto islands, north to the Ryukyu Islands, south to Shark Bay and the Great Barrier Reef.

Males recognized by the dark area over head and body, and females yellow barring. Closely resembles S. dimidiatus, but S. oviceps differs in that its initial phase has fewer, less vertical diagonal black bars on the back and the terminal phase lacks the light-centered bar between the eye and the pectoral fin base, is darker and less brilliant blue on the upper head and back and is usually larger.

Inhabits lagoon and seaward reefs to at least 10 m.