Plectorhinchus vittatus


Oriental sweetlips
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

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).

Plectorhinchus lineatus
Lined sweetlips

Plectorhinchus lineatus

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).

Plectorhinchus polytaenia
Ribbon sweetlips

Plectorhinchus polytaenia

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).

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