Reported from the west and south coasts of Socotra Island. Visual records from the north coast of Abd al-Kuri Island and the north-east coast of Semha Island; from the west coast (Ras Bidou) and south coast (off Steroh village) of Socotra Island. Occupies a relatively wide ecological niche ranging from filter feeder communities on highly dynamic bedrock and relict spur and groove habitat, over mixed macroalgae-dominated communities on rock platform with sparse hard corals of the south coast (for which it apparently has a preference in the area), to occasionally massive coral communities (Porites, Galaxea) and diverse coral biotopes dominated by branching species (staghorn Acropora). Found at a depth range of 2-16 m (Ref. 88695).