Body elongate and compressed. Upper jaw with 2 canines anteriorly and an additional one posterolaterally, lower jaw with 4 canines anteriorly. Anterior lateral line scales with 3 pores. Caudal fin rounded. Body dark greenish blue dorsally, white ventrally; a longitudinal yellow stripe running from posterior part of head to caudal base; a pale blue line edged with greenish blue lines extending from posterior margin of eye to nape; snout with irregular yellow lines; posterior portion of opercle yellow; dorsal fin dark greenish blue with pale blue edge; anal fin dark greenish blue with yellow edge; posterior half of caudal fin yellow, the anterodorsal part dark greenish blue; pectoral fin pale; pelvic fin white.
Distribution:
From Florida to Brazil, inhabiting in relatively deep water (deeper than 30 m).
Remarks:
This species is separable from other Halichoeres species by the lower jaw with 4 canines, 12 dorsal fin rays, and 3 pores on the anterior lateral-line scales. (Matsuura)