Fin's Fish Guide
The Crescent sweetlips (Plectorhinchus cinctus) is a saltwater fish of the family Haemulidae that grows up to 60 cm.
Description
The crescent sweetlips is a grunt from the Indo-West Pacific, from the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf to Japan. The species grows to about 60 cm and has a silver-grey body with oblique, crescent-shaped dark stripes and yellow fins. It lives on reef and sandy bottoms of coastal water and hunts bottom invertebrates and small fish at night. With its thick lips it sucks up prey. The fish is a valued food fish and is assessed as Least Concern (LC) by the IUCN.
Frequently asked questions
How do you recognise the Crescent sweetlips?
The Crescent sweetlips has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a horizontal stripes pattern. Oblique crescent-shaped stripes; thick lips for sucking up prey
Where does the Crescent sweetlips live?
The Crescent sweetlips lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Indo-West Pacific
How big does the Crescent sweetlips get?
The Crescent sweetlips grows to a maximum of about 60 cm.
Is the Crescent sweetlips dangerous to humans?
No, the Crescent 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 Crescent sweetlips edible?
Yes, the Crescent 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 Crescent sweetlips?
Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Crescent sweetlips is one of 12,519 species in the app.