Solenostomus halimeda was described in part from a Marshall Islands specimen, which was one of the paratypes of the new species. We have seen these mostly in channels on the seaward reef, although at least one specimen was found on a lagoon reef. They usually hang around clumps of the alga Halimeda, which they closely resemble. Although Fishbase puts the maximum size at 4.7cm, we have seen them to at least 7cm.
Females are distinguished from males by the enlarged pelvic fins, often held back against the body and which are used to brood the eggs until they hatch.
A couple more males.
And a couple more females.
A small male and larger female pair.
More males.
This species at Kwajalein is most often green, but brown forms are also present, in the two photos below by Stan Jazwinski and Jay Lord respectively.
Juvenile specimens have long tendrils that extend from a much thinner dorsal fin. We have seen slightly larger specimens that look more like adult Solenostomus halimeda where there is only just a trace remaining of the fin tendrils.
Created 10 July 2010
Updated 13 April 2018