Plectorhinchus chaetodonoides

(Lacepède, 1801)

Vernacular names
English : Harlequin sweetlips
French : Gaterin arlequin

Classification
Class : Teleostei
Order : Eupercaria i. s. (sometimes still Perciformes)
Family : Haemulidae
Notes : No subspecies known.

Identification
The species can reach 72 cm for a weight of 7 kg. Juveniles brown with large white blotches. Adults grey-white with numerous black round spots on whole body except white belly. Fins spotted except from dark pectoral and pelvic.

Range and habitat
The species occurs in the Indo-Pacific area, from Maldives and Cocos islands to Sumatra, then to Fiji, New Caledonia, north to Ryukyu islands. Lives in clear lagoons and seaward reefs in coral-rich areas, down to 30 meters.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : NOT LISTED
CITES : Not Listed
Status : The species status has yet to be assessed but it has a fairly large range. Juveniles are often caught for the trade. Adults rarely targeted by fisheries.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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