Sweetlips

The Harlequin Sweetlips is one of the most visually striking and dramatically transforming fish found on Indo-Pacific coral reefs. Juveniles are a rich chocolate brown covered with large, irregular white spots and swim with an exaggerated, almost comical waggling motion that is thought to mimic the movement of toxic flatworms. As the fish matures, this pattern gradually shifts into the adult livery of a cream to grey body densely covered with dark brown to black spots, creating a polka-dotted appearance that gives this species its enduring appeal.

In the wild, Plectorhinchus chaetodonoides inhabits coral reefs and lagoons throughout the Western Pacific, from Indonesia and the Philippines to the Great Barrier Reef. Juveniles shelter among branching corals and crevices, while adults form small groups around reef overhangs and caves during the day, venturing out at night to feed on crustaceans, worms, and small benthic invertebrates. Adults can reach an impressive 28 inches, making them a substantial presence on the reef.

In the aquarium, the Harlequin Sweetlips presents a significant but rewarding challenge. Newly imported specimens are notoriously difficult to wean onto prepared foods, and many refuse to eat in captivity. Success requires patience, live foods during acclimation, and a very large, well-established aquarium with excellent water quality. Those that do acclimate become hardy, long-lived fish with captivating personalities, but their eventual large size demands a minimum of 300 gallons.