This uncommon, shallow coral and rocky reef species is endemic to the Fernando de Noronha Archipelago in northeastern Brazil. Its estimated extent of occurrence (EOO) is 893 km² and its estimated area of occupancy (AOO) is 84 km². Habitat degradation caused by severe marine heat waves that are increasing in frequency due to climate change is likely impacting this species. It occurs within the Fernando de Noronha Marine National Park, which provides protection from extractive activities, such as fishing. Increases in the residential and tourist populations have led to increased waste runoff and a pollution event in August 2021 deposited a large amount of plastics and oil in the archipelago. Oil spills are considered a major threat to the shallow coastal environments of the archipelago that this species is restricted to. The number of locations is four and it is listed as Endangered (EN B1+B2ab(iii)), with a recommendation to conduct species-specific studies to better understand its population status.

This species is endemic to Fernando de Noronha and Atol das Rocas in northeast Brazil (Quintão et al. 2022, Carvalho-Filho 2023). The depth range for this fish is 0–13 m (Sampaio et al. 2004).

Based on a minimum convex polygon drawn around the extent of its range, the estimated extent of occurrence (EOO) is 893 km². Based on a 2x2 km grid overlaid on the shoreline within its range, the estimated area of occupancy (AOO) is 84 km². The number of locations is four based on pervasive threats from marine heat waves, coastal pollution, including sewage runoff, plastic debris and oil spills.

This species is apparently uncommon (Sampaio et al. 2004). It is known from nine museum specimens, including the three type specimens collected in 1997 (Sampaio et al. 2004, Quintão et al. 2022, A. Carvalho-Filho pers. comm. 2024). The population is not severely fragmented (A. Carvalho-Filho pers. comm. 2024).

This cryptic species occurs in shallow waters on hard bottoms in areas rich in calcareous algae, bryozoans, sponges and corals (Sampaio et al. 2004, Sampaio et al. 2009). It camouflages in seaweeds and shallow corals (Carvalho-Filho 2023). The maximum standard length is 1.6 cm (Sampaio et al. 2004).

This restricted-range, reef species is threatened by the degradation and reduction of coral reef habitats due to global climate change. In 2019, Rocas Atoll experienced one of the highest coral bleaching events ever registered in the southwestern Atlantic Ocean due to a severe marine heat wave (Gaspar et al. 2021). The frequency and duration of marine heat waves continue to increase at a significant rate and can cause immediate coral mortality, as well as the rapid loss of reef structure due to the swift coral skeleton dissolution (Gaspar et al. 2021). The projected increase in global temperatures is also anticipated to affect the coral reefs off Fernando de Noronha Archipelago (Diele-Viegas and Rocha 2021).

The recent increase in the residential population to support the increasing demand from the tourism industry is of some concern, including the inadequate treatment of domestic sewage and waste (Afonso et al. 2019). A major pollution event occurred in August 2021 when a large amount of plastics and oil became deposited in the shoreline environments of the windward coast of Fernando de Noronha; in addition to this event, future oil spill events are a major threat to the archipelago (Bastos et al. 2022).

This species is not targeted by any type of fishing due to its small size and habitat (Sampaio et al. 2009).

There are no species-specific conservation measures. Sampaio et al. (2009), recommended this species be added to the list of annex I of MMA2005, as "endangered". This species was listed as Least Concern on the Brazil national Red List in 2013 (ICMBio online database 2023).

This fish's distribution overlaps with the Fernando de Noronha Archipelago Marine National Park (Sazima et al. 2008) and Rocas Atoll Biological Reserve, one of Brazil's most effective marine protected areas (Gaspar et al. 2021). Approximately 80% of Fernando de Noronha is a marine park, and it is the best protected marine park in Brazil with no fishing or collecting within park boundaries and very little fishing occurring in the near vicinity outside the park (L. Rocha pers. comm. 2011). The Fernando de Noronha Marine National Park protects nearshore ecosystems, including the habitats that this species is dependent on (tidepools, rocky shores and reefs) to around 50 m depth and trawling, longlining, the use of drift nets and spears, as well as the capture of sharks, rays and parrotfishes are not allowed (Pimentel et al. 2020). In addition to regulating extractive activities, some measures are in place to control ecotourism (Afonso et al. 2019). Atol das Rocas is a biological reserve off limits to tourism and fishing (L. Rocha pers. comm. 2011).

Research is needed on the population status of this species.