Harlequin sweetlips

📖 Overview

Inhabits coral-rich areas of clear lagoon and seaward reefs. Adults are solitary, near and under ledges or caves by day. Juveniles are found among corals . Feeds on crustaceans, mollusks, and fishes at night. Juveniles are used in the aquarium industry . Small juveniles may mimic a toxic flatworm . Marketed fresh, a small quantity is salted. Large fish have coarse and dry flesh .

🔬 Taxonomy

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 11 - 12; Dorsal soft rays (total): 18 - 20; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 7 - 9. This species is distinguished by the following characters: chin with 6 pores, no median pit; gill rakers on first gill arch 9-12 + 1 + 27-32 = 36-43; D XII (rarely XI),18-20; longest dorsal-fin ray 16-25% of standard length, almost equal to length of soft dorsal-fin base in small specimens, more than 1/2 length of soft dorsal-fin base in adults; lips fleshy, moderately swollen with age; scales ctenoid (rough to touch); lateral line tubed scales about 52-59; body depth 2.4-2.5 in SL; caudal fin deeply forked with broadly rounded lobes in juveniles; only slightly forked to emarginate in adults. Colour of body with numerous dark brown spots, generally larger than pupil; pelvic fins spotted, darkening with age; juveniles brownish with large, well-defined creamy white blotches on body that include brown spots with age; colour gradually changing into a greyish background with large, deep brown spots .: short and / or deep; Cross section: compressed.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Harlequin sweetlips is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

🥚 Reproduction

Oviparous, distinct pairing during breeding .

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; brackish; reef-associated; depth range 1 - 30 m . Tropical; 31°N - 23°S, 57°E - 144°W West Pacific: Maldives (Ref.

🌿 Ecology

📐 Morphometrics

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

🐠 Related Species

🔍 Similar Species

🗺️ Global Occurrence Map

Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 24 records indexed .

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