Western Pacific: Indonesia to Samoa, north to the Ryukyu Islands, south to the Great Barrier Reef. Replaced by Scarus scaber in the Indian Ocean.

Males recognized by the blue snout and band behind eye. Eastern form has blue cheek and western form has yellow cheek. Females grey to yellow with dusky saddle over back. Closely resembles S. oviceps and S. scaber. In S. oviceps, the initial phase has fewer, less vertical diagonal dark 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 coral-rich areas of clear, protected reefs.