Common name: Painted sweetlips

General information

The Painted Sweetlips, scientifically known as Plectorhinchus picus, is a striking species known for its distinctive juvenile pattern and behavior. Juveniles exhibit a polka-dotted pattern with a brownish base color, which gradually changes to a silver-gray base with yellow and black fins as they mature. This species is also known for its 'dancing' motion when young, which is thought to help them mimic toxic flatworms as a form of defense against predators.

Care

Plectorhinchus picus requires a spacious aquarium to accommodate its adult size, which can reach up to 70 centimeters in length. They are not considered reef-safe as they may prey on small fish and invertebrates. A varied diet of meaty foods such as shrimp, squid, and fish flesh is essential for their health. They are generally hardy but can be sensitive to poor water quality, so regular water changes and good filtration are important.

Reproduction

In the wild, Painted Sweetlips are known to form spawning aggregations, but breeding in home aquariums is rare and not well-documented. They are pelagic spawners, releasing eggs and sperm into the water column where fertilization occurs.

Habitat

Plectorhinchus picus is found in the Indo-Pacific region, from the Red Sea and East Africa to Samoa, north to the Ryukyu Islands, and south to New Caledonia. They inhabit coral reefs and sandy areas, often near seagrass beds, from shallow waters to depths of around 30 meters.