Westneat and Alfaro (2005) recognize the Scarini as a tribe within the family Labridae. The genera Chlororus and Scarus are two distinct monophyletic lineages (Smith et al. 2008).

This species is widely distributed in the Indo-Pacific and is common. It is captured as food in some parts of its range and as an aquarium species in Guam. However, there is no current indication of widespread population decline, and its distribution overlaps with several marine protected areas in parts of its range. It is listed as Least Concern.

This species is widely distributed in the Indo-Pacific from eastern Africa to Rapa and Line Islands in Polynesia, northwards to Ryukyu and Ogasawara Islands, Japan and southwards to Australia including: north of Ningaloo Reef and the southern Great Barrier Reef, Rowley Shoals, Sunda Shelf Reefs, Coral Sea territories and Elizabeth/Middleton Reefs.

Records of this species in Comoro Islands, Phoenix Islands and Hong Kong need to be confirmed. The latter record is based on a photograph of an initial phase specimen (Sadovy and Cornish 2000). It is reported to be moderately abundant and the second most common scarid in Hong Kong (R.F. Myers pers comm. 2009).

Guam fisheries data from 1985-2007 indicate that out of 22 parrotfishes identified, this species ranked 17th by weight and 13th by numbers harvested with a peak annual estimated take of only 113 kg (R.F. Meyers pers comm. 2009).

This species is common in parts of its range (G. Allen pers comm. 2009).

This species inhabits clear outer reef flats and lagoons as well as outer reef slopes to 30 m. It is also found along reef crests and fronts (J.H. Choat pers comm. 2009). It has been observed to spawn in groups or in pairs, usually on an outgoing tide. The initial phase sometimes form small aggregations. It is more common in outer reef habitats than in protected waters. It is a protogynous hermaphrodite and diandric.

This species is fished in some parts of its range where destructive fishing practices and habitat destruction are prevalent. However, these threats are not considered to affect the overall status of its population.

Parrotfishes show varying degrees of habitat preference and utilization of coral reef habitats, with some species spending the majority of their life stages on coral reefs, while others primarily utilize seagrass beds, mangroves, algal beds, and /or rocky reefs. Although the majority of the parrotfishes occur in mixed habitat (primarily inhabiting seagrass beds, mangroves, and rocky reefs) approximately 78% of these mixed habitat species are experiencing greater than 30% loss of coral reef area and habitat quality across their distributions. Of those species that occur exclusively in coral reef habitat, more than 80% are experiencing a greater than 30% of coral reef loss and degradation across their distributions. However, more research is needed to understand the long-term effects of habitat loss and degradation on these species populations.   Widespread coral reef loss and declining habitat conditions are particularly worrying for species that depend on live coral reefs for food and shelter especially as studies have shown that protection of pristine habitats facilitate the persistence of adult populations in species that have spatially separated adult and juvenile habitats. Furthermore, coral reef loss and declining habitat conditions are particularly worrying for some corallivorous excavating parrotfishes that play major roles in reef dynamics and sedimentation (Comeros-Raynal et al. 2012).

Food, primarily subsistence, but also commercial (local and regional) in Micronesia where possibly exported from the Federal States of Micronesia to Guam. One of five parrotfish species occasionally taken by commercial aquarium interests on Guam (R.F. Myers pers comm. 2009).

There are no species-specific conservation measures in place for this species. However, its distribution overlaps several marine protected areas within its range.