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Blackstriped sweetlips (Plectorhinchus lineatus) — Haemulidae

Blackstriped sweetlips

Plectorhinchus lineatus
Family: Haemulidae

The Blackstriped sweetlips (Plectorhinchus lineatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Haemulidae that grows up to 72 cm.

Length
72 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1–50 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Western Pacific; inner to outer reef habitats.
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The yellowbanded sweetlips is a sweetlips (Haemulidae) from the western Pacific. The species grows to about 72 cm and has a silvery-white body with oblique yellow to black lengthwise bands and yellow fins with dark spots; juveniles have a different pattern. It inhabits deep inner to outer reef habitats and occurs singly or in schools along coral slopes of clear lagoons and seaward reefs. By day it rests; at night it forages on benthic invertebrates and small fishes. It is a valued food fish and is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Blackstriped sweetlips?

The Blackstriped sweetlips has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly white and shows a horizontal stripes pattern. Oblique yellow longitudinal bands and spotted fins; rests during the day, forages at night.

Where does the Blackstriped sweetlips live?

The Blackstriped sweetlips lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Western Pacific; inner to outer reef habitats.

How big does the Blackstriped sweetlips get?

The Blackstriped sweetlips grows to a maximum of about 72 cm.

Is the Blackstriped sweetlips dangerous to humans?

No, the Blackstriped sweetlips is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Blackstriped sweetlips edible?

Yes, the Blackstriped sweetlips is commonly eaten.

More photos

Blackstriped sweetlips (Plectorhinchus lineatus) — Haemulidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Sabine Templeton, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Blackstriped sweetlips (Plectorhinchus lineatus) — Haemulidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — Nhobgood Nick Hobgood (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Blackstriped sweetlips (Plectorhinchus lineatus) — Haemulidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Ryan Yue Wah Chan, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Blackstriped sweetlips (Plectorhinchus lineatus) — Haemulidae — 5
Wikimedia Commons — Víctor Cebollada (CC BY-SA 3.0)

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All data

Identification

English name
Blackstriped sweetlips verified
Scientific name
Plectorhinchus lineatus
Family
Haemulidae
Other names
Diagonal-banded sweetlips; Goldman's sweetlips; Yellowbanded sweetlips; Lined sweetlips; Oblique-banded sweetlips; Sweetlips; Grunt; Lined blubber-lips; Many-lined sweetlips; Obliquebanded thicklip; Silver-banded sweetlips; Striped sweetlip verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
72 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
White
Pattern
Horizontal stripes
Tail shape
Straight
Mouth position
Terminal
Lips
Thick / fleshy
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
1 verified
Max depth (m)
50 verified
Natural range
Western Pacific; inner to outer reef habitats.
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Benthic invertebrates and small fishes sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups
Territorial
No
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known.
Special features
Oblique yellow longitudinal bands and spotted fins; rests during the day, forages at night. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Fishing with natural bait (fish, shrimp, worm) or lures close to reef and rock structures.
Regulations source

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Plectorhinchus

More from the family Haemulidae

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