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- EnglishName: Adorned wrasse
- Local Name : Nala hikaa
- Size : Max. 12m
- Family: LABRIDAE
- Order : Perciformes
- Distinctive Characters: Dorsal fin with 9 spines and 11 rays (rarely 12). Anal fin with 3 spines and 11 rays. Pectoral fin with 12-14 rays. Body depth 3.2-4.1 in standard length. Head naked. Scales on chest smaller than those of body.
- Colour: Females pale pinky orange, striped yellow, small black spots behind the eye; two white rimmed black spots on dorsal fin. Males green with orange stripes anteriorly and bars posteriorly.
- Habitat and Biology: Found mostly on reef slopes at depths of 2-30 m. Feeds mainly on benthic animals. As far as known, all species of Halichoeres sleep in the sand at night.
- Distribution: Western Indian Ocean.
- Remarks: Halichoeres cosmetus is a common wrasse in the Maldives. The name cosmetus from the Greek word meaning adorned, in reference to its brilliant and complex colouration. Related to H. ornatissimus (Garret) of the Pacific.