Description:

Dorsal spines: 9; Dorsal rays: 11; Anal spines: 3; Anal rays: 11.

Moderately full-bodied wrasse. Head pointed to terminal mouth. Prominent canines at anterior of upper and lower jaws.  Continuous low dorsal fin. Truncate to slightly 
rounded caudal fin.

Colour. Females body with white base colour, each scale on flank with a black bar to produce an effect of a series of white squares edged in black. A large yellow spot 
at base of 4th and 5th dorsal spines followed by a large black blotch. Head green with pattern of ornage stripes breaking into to dots posteriorly. Caudal fin yellow.
Males similar but body base colour light blue green and caudal fin orange–red with pale spots.
Juveniles have alternating black and white bars on the body and a yellow-edged, black spot in the dorsal fin.

Maturity: Lm unknown. Range unknown. Max Length: 27 cm TL.

Inhabits sand patches of lagoon, seaward reefs and along slopes on drop-offs (Depth 1-30 m). Juveniles common at the bottom of surge channels. Feeds on hard-shelled prey, 
including molluscs, crustaceans and sea urchins. Distinct pairing during breeding.

This species is not protected or subject to fishery regulations. It is caught occasionally in the fish trap fishery but more often in nets, it is however an uncommon 
component of the catch.

Froese, R. & D. Pauly. (Eds.) (2018). FishBase. https://www.fishbase.se/summary/12663 (04/06/19).
McGrouther, M. (2019). Checkerboard Wrasse, Halichoeres hortulanus (Lacepede, 1801) https://australianmuseum.net.au/learn/animals/fishes/checkerboard-wrasse-halichoeres-hortulanus-lacepede-1801/ (17/03/20).
Randall, J.E. (1986). Labridae. p. 683-706. In M.M. Smith and P.C. Heemstra (eds.) Smiths' sea fishes. Springer-Verlag, Berlin.
Rocha, L. & Craig, M. (2010). Halichoeres hortulanus. The IUCN Red List 2010: https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-4.RLTS.T187673A8596689.en. (17/03/20).

Nevill, J.E.G. (2019). Halichoeres hortulanus, Checkerboard wrasse. Seychelles Seatizens. www.seatizens.sc. https://seatizens.sc/species/halichoeres-hortulanus-lacepede-1801/ (edited 10/07/22).