Plectorhinchus orientalis
The Indian Ocean Oriental sweetlips (Plectorhinchus orientalis), also known as the oriental sweetlips, is a species of marine ray-finned fish, a sweetlips belonging to the subfamily Plectorhinchinae, one of two subfamilies in the family Haemulidae. It is native to the Indian Ocean and the western Pacific Ocean. The Indian Ocean oriental sweetlips has fleshy lips which become greatly swollen as the fish ages. There are 6 pores on its chin but there is no median pit. The dorsal fin contains 12–14 spines and 16–20 soft rays while the anal fin has 3 spines and 7–8 soft rays. The adults of this species have a basic light greyish colour of which fades to white on the abdomen. It has alternating black and white stripes. the black stripes normally broader on the upper body, the fins are yellow, as are the snout and forehead,
The dorsal, anal and caudal fins are marked with blackish spots. The subadults have wide stripes on their head, body and fins while the juveniles have black blotches and spots that are joined but which slowly split into longitudinal stripes as they grow, the pectoral fins of juveniles are black. This species attains a maximum total length of 80 cm. The Indian Ocean oriental sweetlips inhabits shallow coastal coral reefs, lagoons and seaward reefs at depths of 2 to 25 m. It is found singly or in small aggregations and is tends to be nocturnal. The juveniles may be found in tidepools and in beds of sea grass. It forages at night feeding on small invertebrates such crustaceans, gastropods or annelids, as well as smaller fishes. It is an oviparous species which spawns as distinct pairs.
The Indian Ocean oriental sweetlips is caught by fisheries in much of its range, and is caught using hand nets and by spear fishing and the catch is sold fresh or a small amount of it is preserved as salted fish. It is being trialled for aquaculture. It is an infrequently traded species in the aquarium trade.
(extract from Wikipedia)
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