It is native to the tropical eastern Pacific Ocean, its range extending from the Revillagigedo Islands to the coast of Baja California.

[3] Stegastes redemptus has a very small range and 95% of the population is estimated to be found in the waters around the Revillagigedo Islands, an area of less than 2,000 km2 (772 sq mi).

The trend in population is unknown, but the small area of occupancy makes it vulnerable to external events such as environmental changes.

El Niño events may cause the shallow waters in which it lives to become too warm and deficient in nutrients for extended periods which may threaten its survival.

No special conservation measures are in place but part of its range is within the Revillagigedo Islands Marine Protected Area.