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.

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

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.
 

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

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.

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).