Adorned Wrasse

Distinct pairing during breeding (Ref. 205).

Dorsal spines (total): 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11; Analspines: 3; Analsoft rays: 11

Common on shallow coral and rocky reefs (Ref. 9710). Found solitary or in small loose groups in mixed coral and rubble areas of lagoons and outer slopes 2-30 m deep (Ref. 90102).

Halichoeres cosmetus, or the adorned wrasse, is a species of salt water wrasse the Indian Ocean from South Africa north to Yemen, including Socotra and east to western Thailand.