Plectorhinchus vittatus

Osteichthyes Haemulidae Genus Plectorhinchus Plectorhinchus vittatus

Oriental sweetlips

~20 cm TL

Characteristic features:

Colour:

Pale with dark-brown stripes continuing horizontally across nape and between eyes; pectoral and pelvic fins yellow, other fins yellow with dark brown blotches. Juveniles are pale with connected dark blotches which form horizontal stripes.

Size:

Up to 60 cm TL.

Important conditions and life stages:

Juveniles are pale with connected dark blotches which form horizontal stripes.

Distribution:

Indo-West Pacific in tropical waters.

Habitat:

Close to reefs, to 25 m depth.

Indonesian fisheries:

Caught by handline and spear.

Similar species:

Plectorhinchus lessonii
Striped sweetlips

Plectorhinchus lessonii differs in having upper stripes horizontal on body but bending downward and converging on snout (vs. upper stripes horizontal on body across nape, interorbital, and snout in adults).

to Plectorhinchus lessonii

Plectorhinchus lineatus
Lined sweetlips

Plectorhinchus lineatus differs in having upper stripes horizontal on body but bending downward and converging on snout (vs. upper stripes horizontal on body across nape, interorbital, and snout in adults).

to Plectorhinchus lineatus

Plectorhinchus polytaenia
Ribbon sweetlips

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

to Plectorhinchus polytaenia

External links:

FishBase
The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species^TM