Fin's Fish Guide
The Giant sweetlips (Plectorhinchus albovittatus) is a brackish-water fish of the family Haemulidae that grows up to 100 cm.
Description
The giant sweetlips is a large grunt from the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 1 metre and has a deep, grey-brown body; juveniles bear broad black-and-white or brown longitudinal bands that fade in adults to plain grey with yellow fins. It lives on coral and rocky reefs and hunts small fish, crustaceans and worms at night. With the thick lips for which the group is named 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 Giant sweetlips?
The Giant sweetlips has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a horizontal stripes pattern. Thick lips for sucking up prey; juveniles strongly banded
Where does the Giant sweetlips live?
The Giant sweetlips lives in brackish water and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Indo-West Pacific
How big does the Giant sweetlips get?
The Giant sweetlips grows to a maximum of about 100 cm.
Is the Giant sweetlips dangerous to humans?
No, the Giant 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 Giant sweetlips edible?
Yes, the Giant 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 Giant sweetlips?
Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Giant sweetlips is one of 12,519 species in the app.