How big is the Harlequin sweetlips?

Harlequin sweetlips (Plectorhinchus chaetodonoides) reaches 30–60 cm in length.

At what depth can you find the Harlequin sweetlips?

Harlequin sweetlips is found between 1–30 m deep.

What is the conservation status of the Harlequin sweetlips?

IUCN status: Least concern (LC).

Where can you find the Harlequin sweetlips?

Found in: Asian Pacific, Indian Ocean & Red Sea.

Harlequin sweetlips (Plectorhinchus chaetodonoides)

Key facts

Scientific name: Plectorhinchus chaetodonoides
Common name: Harlequin sweetlips
Category: Fish
Family: Haemulidae
Genus: Plectorhinchus
Size: 30–60 cm
Depth: 1–30 m
IUCN status: Least concern (LC)
Danger level: Harmless
Habitats: reef
Behaviours: solitary, nocturnal
Ocean zones: Asian Pacific, Indian Ocean & Red Sea

Description

Plectorhinchus chaetodonoides reaches 60 cm. Adult white-to-cream blotched with large black spots and dark scales. Juveniles spectacularly different: white-to-cream with black spots and a chaotic sinuous swim mimicking a toxic flatworm (Pseudobiceros), a remarkable case of Batesian mimicry. Solitary on Indo-Pacific reefs from 1 to 30 m. A sought photo subject in both juvenile and adult forms.

Photo of Harlequin sweetlips

Frequently asked questions

How big is the Harlequin sweetlips?: Harlequin sweetlips (Plectorhinchus chaetodonoides) reaches 30–60 cm in length.
At what depth can you find the Harlequin sweetlips?: Harlequin sweetlips is found between 1–30 m deep.
Is the Harlequin sweetlips dangerous to divers?: Danger level: Harmless.
What is the conservation status of the Harlequin sweetlips?: IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
Where can you find the Harlequin sweetlips?: Found in: Asian Pacific, Indian Ocean & Red Sea.

Other species in the genus Plectorhinchus

Other species in the family Haemulidae

Sources

Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 273483)
Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 2382701)
Conservation: IUCN Red List
Encyclopedia: Wikipedia