Harlequin Sweetlips

Plectorhinchus chaetodonoides

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

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

LCLeast ConcernIUCN Red List, 2024

LIFE STAGE

Add a photo

Harlequin Sweetlips adult, photographed at Mirihi Island Resort, Maldives — @fishx6 · Mirihi Island Resort, Maldives · May 20081 / 27

Showing details for the adult stage. Switch stages to see how it differs.

Overview

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.

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.

How to identify

COLOURS

Pattern: black spot spots
Behaviour: hovering makes sounds nocturnal shelters in caves solitary

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Habitat & where to find it

Where the adult stage lives, and where its photos were taken.

Range · Indo-West Pacific
Exact location · 2
Country only · 25

LIVES IN

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.

RANGE