Fin's Fish Guide
The Arabian sweetlips (Plectorhinchus schotaf) is a brackish-water fish of the family Haemulidae that grows up to 80 cm.
Description
The minstrel sweetlips is a large sweetlips from the western Indian Ocean and the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 80 cm and has a deep, grey body with fleshy lips; juveniles are dark with white spots. As a nocturnal reef fish it rests by day in schools under ledges and around wrecks and hunts crustaceans, molluscs and small fish at night. It is a valued food fish. The IUCN assesses the species as Least Concern (LC).
Frequently asked questions
How do you recognise the Arabian sweetlips?
The Arabian sweetlips has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a spots pattern. Fleshy lips; rests in shoals during the day, hunts at night
Where does the Arabian sweetlips live?
The Arabian sweetlips lives in brackish water and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Indo-West Pacific
How big does the Arabian sweetlips get?
The Arabian sweetlips grows to a maximum of about 80 cm. On average the species is around 60 cm.
Is the Arabian sweetlips dangerous to humans?
No, the Arabian sweetlips is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.
Is the Arabian sweetlips edible?
Yes, the Arabian sweetlips is commonly eaten.
More photos
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All data
Identification
Appearance
Habitat & distribution
Behaviour & biology
For anglers
Safety
Status & sources
Same genus Plectorhinchus
More from the family Haemulidae
Want the complete picture on the Arabian sweetlips?
Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Arabian sweetlips is one of 12,519 species in the app.