juvenile Black and White snapper, Macolor niger
Oriental Sweetlips, Plectorhinchus vittatus from the front.
Oriental Sweetlips, Plectorhinchus vittatus from the rear
All photos Monty Guest
Juvenile Oriental Sweetlips, Plectorhinchus vittatus
Photo Guido Zsilavecz
This species ranges from all along the African Indian Ocean coast, from the Red Sea, with juveniles like this one ranging to Durban. It is usually found on coral and rocky reefs, from 5 to 90 m, although generally seen in less than 30 m. It is an opportunistic carnivore. Adults may aggregate into large shoals. The photo shows a fairly young juvenile, as it still has the white band along the gill opening - this is lost on growing juveniles, and adults are overall a dark grey or black.
Oriental sweetlips Plectorhinchus vittatus
Previously known as P. orientalis, this species does not occur in southern Africa, ranging only as far south as central Mozambique. It is a common species, which occurs singly or in large groups on outer coral reefs. Juveniles are very differently marked, as can be seen, and remain closer inshore. Adult attain nearly 90 cm in length!
Reef Fishes and Corals. D. King, 1996.
Coastal Fishes of Southern Africa, PC Heemsta and E Heemstra, 2004.
More Reef Fishes and Nudibranchs. D. King, V. Fraser, 2002