Plectorhinchus chrysotaenia

Datasheet

General Description: Yellow-striped sweetlips, also known as Goldlined sweetlips, Orange-lined sweetlips, or Celebes sweetlips, belong to the Haemulidae family, specifically the Plectorhinchus genus. Originating from the Western Pacific region, they are found in locations spanning from Singapore and the Philippines to the Solomon Islands, the Ryukyu Islands, the Great Barrier Reef, and New Caledonia. These species can grow up to 41.0cm in size and are known for their distinct yellow stripes.

Aquarium Suitability: Considered suitable for aquariums but demand very large tank spaces, typically a minimum of 2000 liters when fully grown. They grow rapidly with proper feeding and require live food sources like Artemia (Brine shrimp) for survival in captivity. However, they pose a threat to small fish, shrimps, bivalves, worms, and snails and are known to disturb sand substrates in search of food.

Care and Hardiness: Yellow-striped sweetlips require frequent feeding, several times a day, and a varied diet to thrive. They are shy and docile, needing ample hiding places among live rocks in the aquarium setup. These fish have a hearty appetite, necessitating a tank that can handle their heavy feeding load. Additionally, they prefer swimming space, thus requiring a spacious environment.

Reef Suitability: These sweetlips are deemed reef-safe with caution, as they can coexist with reef formations if provided with the necessary care and space. Reef aquariums should have suitable hiding spots and live rock arrangements to accommodate their natural behaviors.

Aquarium Setup: When setting up an aquarium for Yellow-striped sweetlips, it is crucial to provide a large tank size, ample hiding places within live rocks, and a varied diet consisting of larger crustaceans, other invertebrates, and small crustaceans like Krill and Artemia. Regular feeding, clean water conditions with a pH of 8.1-8.4, hardness of 8-12 kh, salinity of 1.020-1.025 sg, and a temperature range of 22.2-25.6°C are essential for their well-being.

Behaviour: While their temperament is unknown, these fish are generally shy and docile, so they should be housed with non-aggressive tank mates to prevent stress. They are active swimmers and may exhibit sand-disturbing behavior while foraging for food.

Feeding and Diet: Yellow-striped sweetlips heavily rely on live food sources such as crustaceans and invertebrates for their dietary needs. A diet rich in larger crustaceans, other invertebrates, and small crustaceans like Krill, Mysis, and Artemia is recommended to maintain their health and growth.

Habitat and Distribution: In their natural habitat, Yellow-striped sweetlips can be found in the waters of the Western Pacific region, including areas from Singapore and the Philippines to the Solomon Islands, the Ryukyu Islands, the Great Barrier Reef, and New Caledonia. They prefer sandy substrates and rocky areas where they can seek shelter and scavenge for food.