Indo-Pacific: East Africa to the Line and Society islands, north to the Ryukyu Islands, south to Shark Bay and the southern Great Barrier Reef of Australia and Rapa in the Austral Islands. Presence in Somalia to be confirmed.

Primary phases of S. globiceps, S. psittacus and S. rivulatus are difficult to distinguish from one another. S. globiceps differs in that it is the only one with 3 scale rows and 5 or more scales in the ventral row.

More common in outer reef habitats than in protected waters. Spawns in groups or in pairs. Caught mainly with traps, nets and other types of artisanal gear.