Plectorhinchus polytaenia

Osteichthyes Haemulidae Genus Plectorhinchus Plectorhinchus polytaenia

Ribbon sweetlips

31 cm TL

Characteristic features:

Colour:

Yellowish brown with 5–9 dark-edged white stripes; fins yellow with darker stripes that fade with age. Juveniles with fewer stripes on body.

Size:

Up to 40 cm TL.

Important conditions and life stages:

Juveniles with fewer stripes on body.

Distribution:

Indo-West Pacific in tropical waters.

Habitat:

Close to reefs, to 40 m depth.

Similar species:

Plectorhinchus chrysotaenia
Goldlined sweetlips

Plectorhinchus chrysotaenia differs in having silvery with yellow horizontal stripes only (vs. yellow horizontal stripes alternating with black-edged white stripes).

to Plectorhinchus chrysotaenia

Plectorhinchus lessonii
Striped sweetlips

Plectorhinchus lessonii differs in having the dorsal, caudal and anal fins yellow with black spots (vs. all fins bright yellow) and black/brown stripes alternating with white, some yellow colouration dorsally (vs. yellow horizontal stripes alternating with black-edged white stripes).

to Plectorhinchus lessonii

Plectorhinchus lineatus
Lined sweetlips

Plectorhinchus lineatus differs in having dorsal, caudal and anal fins yellow with black spots (vs. all fins bright yellow) and pectoral-fin bases with a red blotch (vs. red blotch absent).

to Plectorhinchus lineatus

Plectorhinchus vittatus
Oriental sweetlips

Plectorhinchus vittatus differs in having the dorsal, caudal and anal fins yellow with black spots (vs. all fins bright yellow) and black/brown stripes alternating with white, some yellow colouration dorsally (vs. yellow horizontal stripes alternating with black-edged white stripes).

to Plectorhinchus vittatus

External links:

FishBase
The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species^TM