Author: Randall & King, 2010
Comments: A rare species with paucity of specimens, this is partly due to its misidentification as <i>Halichoeres nebulosus</i>, its usual shallow-water habitat off exposed rocky shores where it is difficult to collect and its being very elusive.  Found on rocky bottom or sand with scattered patches of reef at depths of 0.5-1.5 meters.  A male individual was photographed from a pool (about 5 m long, 2 m wide and 1.2 m deep) almost close to the sea at low tide (Ref. 83900).