Description:

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

Small, fast moving, moderately elongate wrasse. Head scaleless. Narrow median zone of nape without scales except for a few embedded anterior to the dorsal fin. Scales on side 
of nape not reaching posterior edge of eye. Pelvic fin of males nearly or just reaching anus.

Colour. A mottled wrasse with red lines on green head. Dorsal and anal fins pale green with oblique dark red to purple-red lines.

Females with large irregular interconnected dark bars on body (broadest and darkest dorsally), a large light red area on abdomen containing two or more white lines. A 
vertically elongate small black spot behind eye, a larger but less distinct one on opercle, a small one anteriorly on dorsal fin and a large yellow edged one anteriorly in 
outer part of soft dorsal fin.

Males primarily green, the red area on abdomen reduced or absent, the blackspots less defined or absent.

Size:

Maturity: Lm unknown. Range unknown. Max Length: 12cm TL.

Habitat and Ecology:

Inhabits reef flats, reef margins, and rocky shores, mainly in inshore weedy areas (depth 1-40m). Feeds on fish eggs and benthic invertebrates. Distinct pairing during breeding.
 

Fishery Status:

This species is not protected or subject to fishery regulations. It is too small to be caught in the artisanal fishery.
 

Notes:

 

 

References:

Craig, M. & Rocha, L. (2010). Halichoeres nebulosus. The IUCN Red List 2010: https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-4.RLTS.T187548A8564837.en. (13/05/20).
Froese, R. & D. Pauly. (Eds.) (2020). FishBase. https://www.fishbase.in/summary/6663 (13/05/20).
Randall, J.E. (1986). Labridae. p. 683-706. In M.M. Smith and P.C. Heemstra (eds.) Smiths' sea fishes. Springer-Verlag, Berlin.

Citation:

Nevill, J.E.G. (2020). Halichoeres nebulosus, Nebulous wrasse. Seychelles Seatizens. www.seatizens.sc.  https://seatizens.sc/species/halichoeres-nebulosus-valenciennes-1839/ (edited 11/07/22).