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Redlip rubberlip (Plectorhinchus sordidus) — Haemulidae

Redlip rubberlip

Plectorhinchus sordidus
Family: Haemulidae

The Redlip rubberlip (Plectorhinchus sordidus) is a saltwater fish of the family Haemulidae that grows up to 60 cm.

Length
60 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
2.0–80.0 m
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The redlip rubberlip is a grunt or sweetlips (Haemulidae) from the western Indian Ocean, off East Africa and Arabia. The species grows to about 60 cm and has a deep, grey body with fleshy, reddish lips. As a bottom-oriented predator it shelters by day around reefs and wrecks and hunts small crustaceans, molluscs and small fish at night; it makes grunting sounds with its throat teeth. It is a valued food fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Redlip rubberlip?

The Redlip rubberlip has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Redlip rubberlip live?

The Redlip rubberlip lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Redlip rubberlip get?

The Redlip rubberlip grows to a maximum of about 60 cm.

Is the Redlip rubberlip dangerous to humans?

No, the Redlip rubberlip is harmless to humans.

Is the Redlip rubberlip edible?

Yes, the Redlip rubberlip is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Roodlip-zoetlip sourced
English name
Redlip rubberlip sourced
Scientific name
Plectorhinchus sordidus
Family
Haemulidae
Other names
Redlip rubberlip; Sordid rubberlip; Sordid sweetlip; Sordid thicklip verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
60.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
2.0 verified
Max depth (m)
80.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
levensduur_max_jaar
14.0 verified

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Vissen met natuurlijk aas (vis, garnaal, worm) of kunstaas dicht bij rif- en rotsstructuren. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Plectorhinchus

More from the family Haemulidae

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