Lined Sweetlips

The Lined Sweetlips is a large and visually impressive member of the Haemulidae family, distinguished by its bold pattern of alternating black and yellow-white horizontal stripes running the length of its body. Like other sweetlips, juveniles display a dramatically different appearance from adults, with young fish sporting a pattern of dark brown and white patches that gradually transitions to the distinctive lined adult pattern as the fish matures. The thick, fleshy lips characteristic of the sweetlips group give this species a somewhat comical, endearing expression.

In the wild, Plectorhinchus lineatus is found across the Indo-Pacific, from Indonesia and the Philippines through to the Great Barrier Reef and beyond. Adults are typically encountered in small groups or pairs around coral reef slopes, overhangs, and cave entrances at depths of 5 to 35 meters. They are primarily nocturnal feeders, resting in sheltered areas during the day and emerging at dusk to hunt crustaceans, worms, and small invertebrates across the reef and sandy substrate.

The Lined Sweetlips is considered one of the most difficult marine fish to maintain in captivity. Newly imported specimens almost universally refuse prepared foods, and the weaning process requires exceptional patience and expertise. Many specimens simply fail to adapt to captive conditions regardless of the keeper's efforts. Those rare individuals that do acclimate can live for many years, but the combination of feeding difficulty, sensitivity to water quality, and large adult size of 20 inches makes this a species strictly for expert aquarists with well-established systems of 250 gallons or more.