Photographed from Dauin-Apo I. and observed at 10-15 m below a large rock on an otherwise mud/muck habitat (Ref. 127519). It was reported to be common in the country, usually found in more turbid waters in shallow reefs with muddy substrates and was discovered that it could hybridize with G. reevesii (so sometimes intermediate coloration pattern exists) which is relatively rare in the Philippines (Dr. Wen-Chien Huang, pers.comm. with Bart Hazes 11/2023). Also Ref. 2334, 90102.