Sombre Sweetlips, Plectorhinchus schotaf (Forsskål, 1775)
Scientific name: Plectorhinchus schotaf
Alternative name/s:
Arabian Sweetlips, Grey Sweetlips, Minstrel Sweetlips, Somber Blubber-lips
Arabian Sweetlips, Grey Sweetlips, Minstrel Sweetlips, Somber Blubber-lips
Similar species:
The species looks similar to the Brown Sweetlips but can be distinguished by differences in the number of dorsal fin spines (12, rarely 13 in P. schotaf vs. 14, rarely 13) and dorsal fin rays (18–21 vs. 15–17).
The species looks similar to the Brown Sweetlips but can be distinguished by differences in the number of dorsal fin spines (12, rarely 13 in P. schotaf vs. 14, rarely 13) and dorsal fin rays (18–21 vs. 15–17).
Click to enlarge image
Sombre Sweetlips, Plectorhinchus schotaf
Image: Australian National Fish Collection, CSIRO
© CC BY NC
© CC BY NC
Fast Facts
-
Classification
- Genus
- Plectorhinchus
- Species
- schotaf
- Family
- Haemulidae
- Order
- Perciformes
- Class
- Actinopterygii
- Subphylum
- Vertebrata
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Kingdom
- Animalia
-
- Size Range
- The Sombre Sweetlips grows to about 90 cm in length but is more commonly seen at lengths up to 40 cm.
Introduction
The Sombre Sweetlips is grey, silver or brownish above and silver to pale grey below. The species is known in the tropical Indo-west Pacific.
Identification
The Sombre Sweetlips is grey, silver or brownish above and silver to pale grey below. The opercular membrane is red to orangish. The mouth, tongue and pectoral fin bases are red.
Habitat
The species occurs on coral and rocky reefs in coastal waters.
Distribution
The species is known in the tropical Indo-west Pacific. In Australia it is known from off north-western Western Australia and from northern Queensland to northern New South Wales.
The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Source: Atlas of Living Australia.
Distribution data sourced from the Atlas of Living Australia
References
- Allen, G.R. & R. Swainston. 1988. The Marine Fishes of North-Western Australia. A Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 201.
- Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & G.R. Allen. 2006. Fishes. In Beesley, P.L. & A. Wells. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Volume 35. ABRS & CSIRO Publishing: Australia. parts 1-3, pages 1-2178.
- McKay, R.J. 2001. Haemulidae . in Carpenter, K.E. & V.H. Niem (Eds). FAO Species Identification Guide for Fishery Purposes. The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific. Volume 5. Bony fishes part 3 (Menidae to Pomacentridae). FAO, Rome. Pp. iii-iv, 2791-3379.
