Plectorhinchus albovittatus

Family : Haemulidae
Common Name : Giant sweetlips
Scientific Name : Plectorhinchus albovittatus
Maximum length : 100cm
IUCN Red List Status : Not Evaluated

Adult overall grey with whitish speckling, yellow spinous dorsal fin, black pelvic and anal fins, anterior party of soft dorsal fin broadly black. and small large black patches along respective upper and lower lobes of caudal fin. Juvenile with pair of broad black stripes on upper two-thirds of body with narrower yellow stripe between, whitish to orange ventral third of body, and alternating black and yellow/orange bands on caudal fin.

Found in clear lagoon and seaward reefs in 2-50m. Juveniles in brackish habitats or shallow turbid coastal areas. Adults usually solitary, occasionally in pairs; on deep reefs or with sea mounts. At Palau, aggregates to spawn about once a year around new moon of April or May. Oviparous, distinct pairing during breeding.

Recorded from Raja Ampat Islands, Bali, Maumere Bay, Komodo, Pulau Seribu, Sangalakki Island and Pulau Weh; with an Indonesian distribution from Papua to Sumatra.

Photo 1 : Photo courtesy Paul Kli
Photo 2 : Photo courtesy Benjamin Naden

Reference : - http://www.fishbase.org/summary/6362
- Allen, G R, Erdmannn, M V., 2012. Reef Fishes of the East Indies : Volume II. Singapore : Tropical Reef Research

Diagramma pictum

Family: Haemulidae

Common Name: Yelllowbanded sweetlips / Lined sweetlips

Scientific Name : Diagramma pictum
Maximum length : 50cm
IUCN Red List Status : Not Evaluated

Adult plain silvery grey. Subadult silvery grey with orange to brownish spots on head, body and median fins. Large juvenile with yellowish head and series of black anad white alternating stripes on body, and dorsal and caudal fins. Small juvenile with large black spinous dorsal fin, white to yellow stripe from top of eye to upper caudal fin; broad black median stripe on body extending onto caudal fin, and yellow to white lower head and belly.

Typically found solitary or in groups, often in turbid water. on open muddy, sandy or silty substrates in protected bays or estuaries, around rock outcrops, wreckage and debris 5-40m. Also in shallow coastal areas and coral reefs. Juveniles are found in weedy areas. Feeds on benthic invertebrates and fishes. Reportedly ciguatoxic in some areas. Marketed fresh and frozen. Five subspecies recognized across Indo-Pacific region including D. p. labiosum and D. p. pictum. Distinct pairing during breeding

Johnson et al. (2001) recognise five subspecies across the Indo-Pacific region including D. p. labiosum (northern New Guinea and southern Papua New Guinea) and D. p. pictum (East Indian region to New Caledonia and north to Japan)

From southwest Sumatra to Timor Sea. Also recorded from Raja Ampat Islands, Manado and vicinity and Togean and Banggai Islands.

Photo 1 : Photo courtesy Brian Mayes
Photo 2 : Photo courtesy Bernard DUPONT
Photo 3 : Photo courtesy Optical Allusion

Referemce : - http://www.fishbase.org/summary/4465
- Allen, G R, Erdmannn, M V., 2012. Reef Fishes of the East Indies : Volume II. Singapore : Tropical Reef Research

Plectorhinchus chaetodonoides

Family: Haemulidae

Common Name: Harlequin sweetlips

Scientific Name : Plectorhinchus chaetodonoides

Maximum length : 50cm

IUCN Red List Status : Not Evaluated

Adult profusely covered with brown spots on body and fins, belly whitish. Juvenile brown with large white spots on head and body. Large juvenile and subadult with combination of juvenile pattern of large white spots and spotted pattern of adult, but spots much larger.

Inhabits coral-rich areas of clear lagoon and seaward reefs. Adults are solitary, near and under ledges or caves by day. Juveniles are found among corals. Feeds on crustaceans, mollusks, and fishes at night. Juveniles are used in the aquarium industry. Small juveniles may mimic a toxic flatworm. Oviparous, distinct pairing during breeding.

From southwest Sumatra to Bali Strait; also known from Flores and Mentawai Islands. Also recorded from Raja Ampat Islands, Komodo, Manado and vicinity, Pulau Bintan, Sangalakki Island, Togean and Banggai Islands and Pulau Weh

Photo 1 : Photo courtesy Marcel Wardis
Photo 2 : Photo courtesy Richard Ling
Photo 3 : Photo courtesy Bernard DUPONT

Reference :
- http://www.fishbase.org/summary/PLECTORHINCHUS-CHAETODONOIDES.html
- Allen, G R, Erdmannn, M V., 2012. Reef Fishes of the East Indies : Volume II. Singapore : Tropical Reef Research 

Plectorhinchus chrysotaenia

Family: Haemulidae

Common Name: Goldlined sweetlips

Scientific Name : Plectorhinchus chrysotaenia

Maximum length : 51cm

IUCN Red List Status : Not Evaluated

Silvery light blue with yellow stripes and bright yellow fins. 

In rich coral areas of coastal reef slopes, inner reefs and deep lagoon in 6 -70m. Solitary or in groups. Prefers sheltered reefs and during the day either solitary or in large inactive aggregations.

Recorded from Raja Ampat Islands, Bali and Maumere Bay; with an Indonesian distribution from Papua to Flores, from Bali Strait to Timor Sea.

Photo 1 : Photo courtesy Jeffrey Low
Photo 2 : Photo courtesy Benjamin Naden

Reference :
- http://www.fishbase.org/summary/56810
- Allen, G R, Erdmannn, M V., 2012. Reef Fishes of the East Indies : Volume II. Singapore : Tropical Reef Research 

Plectorhinchus flavomaculatus

Family: Haemulidae

Common Name: Yellow-spotted sweetlips

Scientific Name : Plectorhinchus flavomaculatus

Maximum length : 60cm
IUCN Red List Status : Not Evaluated

Greyish with orange and blue stripes on head, and small orange spots on upper half of body, extending onto dorsal and caudal fins.

Inhabits coastal waters near sheltered reefs, lagoons, and weedy areas, solitarily or in groups. Adults usually on silty reefs at moderate depths, or in current channels occasionally inshore 2-25m; juveniles enter estuaries and harbors. Feeds on small fishes and crustaceans. Good food fish, marketed fresh. Oviparous, distinct pairing during breeding.

From southwest Sumatra to Timor Sea.

Photo 1 : Photo courtesy Richard Ling
Photo 2 : Photo courtesy Benjamin Naden

Reference :
- http://www.fishbase.org/summary/Plectorhinchus-flavomaculatus.html
- Allen, G R, Erdmannn, M V., 2012. Reef Fishes of the East Indies : Volume II. Singapore : Tropical Reef Research 

Plectorhinchus lessonii

Family: Haemulidae

Common Name: Striped swetlips

Scientific Name : Plectorhinchus lessonii

Maximum length : 40cm
IUCN Red List Status : Not Evaluated

White with yellowish lips, brown stripes and broken lines on head, 4-5 brown stripes on upper half of side, black spot on upper pectoral-fin base, and large brown spots on dorsal, anal, and caudal fins. Juvenile with white stripe above eye joining white area on soft dorsal fin, and broad blackish midlateral stripe extending onto caudal fin.

Inner and outer reef lagoons, usually in caves along steep slopes. Juveniles in shallow lagoons or protected shallow reefs to 35m. During the day, occurs under coral ledges of channel and outer reef slopes. Solitary.

Recorded from Raja Ampat Islands, Bali, Maumere Bay, Komodo, Sangalakki Island, Togean and Banggai Islands; with an Indonesian distribution from Papua to Kalimantan.

Photo 1 : Photo courtesy Bernard DUPONT

Photo 2 : Photo courtesy JonathanHsieh

Photo 3 : Photo courtesy Bernard DUPONT

Reference : - http://www.fishbase.org/summary/Plectorhinchus-lessonii.html

- Allen, G R, Erdmannn, M V., 2012. Reef Fishes of the East Indies : Volume II. Singapore : Tropical Reef Research 

Plectorhinchus lineatus

Family: Haemulidae

Common Name: Yelllowbanded sweetlips / Lined sweetlips

Scientific Name : Plectorhinchus lineatus

Maximum length : 50cm

IUCN Red List Status : Not Evaluated

White with yellowish lips, brown stripes and broken lines on head, 4-5 brown stripes on upper half of side, black spot on upper pectoral-fin base, and large brown spots on dorsal, anal and caudal fins. Juvenile with white stripe above eye joining white area on soft dorsal fin, and broad blackish midlateral stripe extending onto caudal fin.

Found in deep inner to outer reef habitats Occurs singly or in aggregations along coral slopes of clear lagoon and seaward reefs to 35m. Juveniles solitary on shallow protected reefs. Generally nocturnal, feeding on benthic invertebrates in open sand flats and seagrass beds at night and conspicuously rests during the day. At Palau, it aggregates to spawn around new moon.

Know from Bali Strait to Timor Sea; including Flores, Mentawai Islands, Raja Ampat Islands, Togean and Banggai Islands 

Photo 1 : Photo courtesy elchnon

Photo 2 : Photo courtesy Mark Rosenstein

Photo 3 : Photo courtesy gero.dill

Reference : - http://www.fishbase.org/summary/Plectorhinchus-lineatus.html
- Allen, G R, Erdmannn, M V., 2012. Reef Fishes of the East Indies : Volume II. Singapore : Tropical Reef Research 

Plectorhinchus picus

Family: Haemulidae

Common Name: Spotted sweetlips

Scientific Name : Plectorhinchus picus

Maximum length : 60cm

IUCN Red List Status : Not Evaluated

White with numerous black spots on head, body and fins (except pectorals and pelvics), and black margin on upper rear edge of opercle. Juvenile black on upper half, abruptly white ventrally, with broad white saddles on forehead, middle of dorsal fin and across caudal peduncle.

A solitary species found in lagoon and seaward reefs in 5 to 50m.. Adults usually under coral heads or in caves, while juveniles are found in shallow lagoons. Usually hides underneath ledges, crevices or in caves. Feeds on crustaceans and mollusks. Generally marketed fresh. Recorded from Bali, Maumere Bay and Manado and vicinity; with an Indonesian distribution from Papua to Sumatra, from Bali Strait to Timor Sea.

Photo 1 : Photo courtesy Richard Ling
Photo 2 : Photo courtesy Bertrand Malet

Reference : Allen, G R, Erdmannn, M V., 2012. Reef Fishes of the East Indies : Volume II. Singapore : Tropical Reef Research

Plectorhinchus vittatus

Family: Haemulidae

Common Name: Indian Ocean oriental sweetlips / Oriental sweetlips 

Scientific Name : Plectorhinchus vittatus

Maximum length : 60cm

Alternating black and white stripes (black stripes generally wider, at least on dorsal half of body), yellowish snout and forehead, and yellow fins with black spots on dorsal, anal and caudal fins. Subadult similar, but stronger yellow on head, and fins generally have solid black bands rather than spots (these gradually break up to form spots with increased growth). Juvenile with yellowish head and irregular pattern of broad black stripes on body and fins (fins lack bright yellow of adult and subadult stages).

Inhabits coral reefs and inshore rocky reefs in 2 to 25 m. Generally nocturnal, but frequently seen resting during the day. Juveniles solitary, inhabits clear shallow protected lagoon; adults may be solitary or occur in aggregations.

Recorded from Raja Ampat Islands, Bali Strait to Timor Sea, Maumere Bay, Komodo, Pulau Seribu, Togean and Banggai Islands and Pulau Weh, Flores; with an Indonesian distribution from Papua to Sumatra.

Photo 1 : Photo courtesy Benjamin Naden
Photo 2 : Photo courtesy Ülar Tikk
Photo 3 : Photo courtesy Andy Holland

Reference : - http://www.fishbase.org/Country/CountrySpeciesSummary.php?c_code=360&id=25706
- Allen, G R, Erdmannn, M V., 2012. Reef Fishes of the East Indies : Volume II. Singapore : Tropical Reef Research 

Plectorhinchus polytaenia

Family: Cirrhitidae

Common Name: Ribbon Sweetlips

Scientific Name : Plectorhinchus polytaenia

Maximum length : 40cm
IUCN Red List Status : Not Evaluated

Bright yellow including fins, with bold pattern of black-edged bluish white stripes. Juvenile brown with alternating dark brown and white stripes, increasing in number with growth.

Occurs on coastal and seaward reefs. Adults on deep, current-prone slopes with rich invertebrate growth; juveniles on sheltered reefs nearby. Found singly, in small groups under ledges or large resting aggregations by day, forages for small invertebrates at night. Mainly speared. Caught throughout its range; not common. Rarely marketed in India. Oviparous, distinct pairing during breeding

From Bali Strait to Timor Sea. Also recorded from Raja Ampat Islands and Togean and Banggai Islands.

Reference : - http://www.fishbase.org/summary/8316
- Allen, G R, Erdmannn, M V., 2012. Reef Fishes of the East Indies : Volume II. Singapore : Tropical Reef Research