HAEMULIDAE


Plectorhinchus chaetodonoides, 29.6 cm SL
(adult; photo by Ukkrit Satapoomin)



Plectorhinchus chaetodonoides, 2.7 cm SL
(juvenile; photo by Ukkrit Satapoomin)


Plectorhinchus chaetodonoides
Lacepède, 1801
Harlequin Sweetlip

D XI-XII, 18-20; A III, 7-9; P1 16-17; P2 I, 5; LLp 52-59; GR 9-12 + 28-33.

Body deep, compressed. Lip fleshy, moderately swollen with age. Chin with six pores; no median pit; not covering barbels or papillae. Caudal fin forked. Color: in juveniles, body brown with seven large darkedged white spots or bars; outer part of caudal fin white with a large brown spot in each lobe. In adults, head and body pale green dorsally, light gray ventrally; dorsal half of head and body, and dorsal, caudal and anal fins with numerous black spots. Size: maximum length about 65 cm. Distribution: distributed in the Indo-West Pacific, from east coast of Africa east to Tonga, and southern Japan south to Queensland, Australia. Remarks: inhabiting coralrich areas of clear lagoon and seaward reefs. Solitary, near and under ledges or caves by day in adults (Hiroyuki Motomura)