Occurs over coral and rocky bottoms on the mainland coast and at or off coastal islands; solitary or in groups of up to 6 individuals on coral heads, among crustose algae and encrusting sponges, or near sea urchins, seeking protection among the spines. Cleans other fishes, e.g. the blenniid Ophioblennius atlanticus, pomacentrid Abudefduf saxatilis, and the serranid Mytoperca rubra.