Description
Also known as Brownie Sweetlips, Brownkelly, Brownkelly Sweetlips, Clown Grunt, Clown Sweetlips, Grunt Sweetlips, Harlequin Thicklip, Harlequin's Sweetlips, Many-spotted Sweetlips, Spotted Blubberlips, Spotted Sweetlip, Spotted Sweetlips, Sweetlips.
Found singly, during the day close to caves and under ledges, dispersing at night hunting for food, over clear lagoons and seaward reefs, rich in coral growth.
They feed on benthic crustaceans, fish, and molluscs.
Juveniles found singly close to the shelter of corals.
Length - 72cm
Depth - 1-30m
Widespread Indo-West Pacific
Juveniles mimic the movement of a poisonous flatworm for defence against predators.
With age they gain more spots and the spots reverse from white to black as they age.
In some areas of the world 'Grunts' are better known as 'Sweetlips' distinguished from other species by their very large rubbery lips.
'Grunts'because they "grunt," the grunting sound is produced by their flat teeth plates rubbing together and this is amplified by their air bladders.
Found either singly or in schools hovering or motionless over the reef during the day, becoming nocturnal predators. Ref: https://www.fishbase.se/summary/6364
2 comments
Posted by @MoSaw on on the GBR. Thanks for the ID
Posted by Akhil JudeThey are also found in Andaman and Nicobar Islands.