Harry hotlips
📖 Overview
Found in coastal reefs, sandbanks, and near estuaries . Enter freshwater . Small juveniles occur along sheltered sandy shorelines where they mimic a dead leaf by drifting on their sides . Adults mainly in protected inshore reefs to deep offshore, sometimes swims in small groups . Excellent food fish .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 14; Dorsal soft rays (total): 15 - 16; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 7 - 8. : short and / or deep; Cross section: compressed.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Harry hotlips is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
Oviparous, distinct pairing during breeding .
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; freshwater; brackish; reef-associated; depth range 8 - 25 m . Tropical; 30°N - 24°S West Pacific: Red Sea to Natal, South Africa (including Madagascar and the Comoro and Reunion islands); Gulf of Aden and the Persian Gulf eastward to Samoa, north to the Ryukyu Islands, south to Australia; Caroline and Mariana islands in Micronesia.
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🎣 Angling Guide
- medium-heavy 7ft spinning rod
- 30-50 lb braid
- fluorocarbon leader
- grass flats
- oyster bars
- marsh drains
- deeper channel edges
Use barbless hooks, minimise air exposure, and revive fish head-first in current before release.
⚠️ Slot limits protect breeding-size fish. Verify daily bag limits.
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Harry hotlips is an edible species."
- Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
- Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
- Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
- Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
- Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
- Cloudy or sunken eyes
- Strong fishy or ammonia odour
- Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
- Discoloured or dry flesh
⚡ Nutrition
Per 100g cooked - Source: USDA FoodData Central
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Protein | 19.3 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 95 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Harry hotlips has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🔬 Full Nutritional Profile
Per 100g - Raw, per 100g - Source: USDA FoodData Central templates (generic fish average)
📊 Population Dynamics
| Year | Region | Index | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - |
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? niger | Cuvier | 1830 | Synonym |
| Diagramma crassispinum | Rüppell | 1838 | Synonym |
| Diagramma gibbosus | Hombron & Jacquinot | 1853 | Heterotypic |
| Gaterin niger | Cuvier | 1830 | Synonym |
| Holocentrus gibbosus | Lacepède | 1802 | Synonym |
| Plectorhinchus gibbosus | Hombron & Jacquinot | 1853 | Heterotypic |
| Plectorhinchus nigrus | Cuvier | 1830 | Synonym |
| Plectorhynchus crassispinus | Rüppell | 1838 | Synonym |
| Plectorhynchus gibbosus | Lacepède | 1802 | Synonym |
| Plectorhynchus gibbus | Lacepède | 1802 | Synonym |
| Plectorhynchus niger | Cuvier | 1830 | Synonym |
| Plectorhynchus nigrus | Cuvier | 1830 | Synonym |
| Plectorinchus gibbosus | Lacepède | 1802 | Synonym |
| Pristipoma leucurum | Valenciennes | 1833 | Synonym |
| Pristipoma nigrum | Cuvier | 1830 | Synonym |
| Pseudopristipoma nigra | Cuvier | 1830 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 6 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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