Novaculops halsteadi (Randall & Lobel 2003)

This species is characterized by the following: D IX,12, the first two dorsal spines flexible and shorter than longest dorsal soft rays; body depth 3.1-3.35 in SL; cheek scaleless; 2 small scales dorsally on opercle; gill rakers 17-20; juveniles and females whitish with a red stripe from above eye to back at base of dorsal fin; males with a pale-edged black spot on seventh lateral-line scale and scales below (Ref. 75958).

Oviparous, distinct pairing during breeding (Ref. 205).

Dorsal spines (total): 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12; Analspines: 3; Analsoft rays: 12; Vertebrae: 25

Found solitary or in small groups near reefs in sand-rubble bottoms (Ref. 90102). Feeds on small benthic invertebrates (Ref. 89972).