Biology

Inhabits inner reef flats and sheltered lagoons. A common inshore species, often on algal or silty reefs and among attached Sargassum on shallow rubble flats (Ref. 48637). Solitary or in groups (Ref. 90102). Feeds mainly on filamentous green algae and to a lesser extent on fleshy and coralline red algae and on benthic invertebrates. Monogamous (Ref. 52884).