Type locality of Chromis howsoni. This species co-occur with C. amboinensis in some habitats. It is most abundant on sheltered coastal reefs, and co-occur with C. amboinensis on both exposed outer reefs (Lusancay Islands and Nuakata vicinity, Milne Bay Province) and in semi-exposed reefs closer to the coast (Fergusson Island and Lawadi-Tawali area, Milne Bay Province and Stewart Reefs off Tufi, Oro Province). Both were equally common in semi-exposed situation, with this species was abundant in highly sheltered coastal inlets at Tufi. Despite intensive survey efforts, it has not been observed at other parts of Milne Bay Province (Misima, Woodlark Island, Egum Atoll, Louisiade Islands, and Rennell Island), New Britain, New Ireland, Manus Island, Hermit and Ninigo Island, and Madang vicinity (Ref. 96316).