Marine Life

Harlequin sweetlips

Galu guruva

Plectorhinchus chaetodonoides

The juveniles of Plectorhinchus chaetodonoides appear to mimic a toxic nudibranch or polyclad flatworm, and are also exported as aquarium fish. Dr. Roland McKay of the Queensland Museum is currently conducting a scientific revision of the family Haemulidae.

Details

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size: Max. 65 cm
color: Adults overall whitish with numerous brown spots that extend onto most fins. Belly sometimes dusky brownish. Juveniles brown with large dark edged white spots.
order: Perciformes
family: Haemulidae
image url: https://assets.explore.mv/fishes/plectorhinchus-chaetodonoides.png
habitat and biology: This species is typically found in coastal waters near reefs, reaching depths of up to 35 meters. It is most commonly seen in areas with abundant coral, such as clear lagoons and seaward reefs, hovering beneath ledges and table corals. At night, it feeds mainly on crustaceans, mollusks, and fish.
distinctive characters: This fish has a dorsal fin with 13 spines and 18-19 rays, an anal fin with 3 spines and 8 rays, fewer than 25 gill rakers on the lower limb of the first gill arch, fleshy lips that become moderately swollen with age, etenoid scales (rough to touch), and a height of the soft dorsal fin that is approximately equal to the length of its base.