[2] A. lineatus occurs in the Indian Ocean from East Africa to the western Pacific Ocean to the Great Barrier Reef, Japan, Polynesia,[2] and Hawaii.

The lined surgeonfish is associated with reefs, living in marine waters just a few meters deep.

[1] Acanthurus lineatus species found in Australia, in the Indian Ocean have a greater defense rate against intruders.

Lined surgeonfish in the Indian Ocean have a smaller body size, allowing them to have greater access and abundance of food, due to hurricane damage to reefs, enhancing the overall algal turfs that Acanthurus lineatus feed on.

In some areas it is heavily exploited, but it lives in many protected zones and in general it is widespread and common.