Plectorhinchus polytaenia

Datasheet

General Description

The Ribboned sweetlips (Plectorhinchus polytaenia) is a member of the Haemulidae family, specifically the Plectorhinchinae group, known for its striking appearance that changes significantly from juvenile to adult stages. This species, commonly termed as the Yellow-ribbon sweetlips, Ribbon sweetlips, or Ribboned sweetlips, can grow up to an impressive size of 50.0cm when fully mature. Originating from the Indo-West Pacific region, they are found along the west coast of India, the Philippines, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and down to northern Australia.

Aquarium Suitability

Ribboned sweetlips are suitable for experienced aquarists willing to provide the necessary preparation and care due to their delicate nature and demanding requirements. These fish need a very large tank with a minimum size of 2000 liters once fully grown, making them challenging to accommodate in a typical home aquarium setup. With a docile temperament, caution is advised when housing them with more aggressive tank mates.

Demands, Care, and Hardiness

Considered delicate, this species demands specific care and attention to thrive successfully in captivity. They have delicate nutritional needs, challenging to meet, which can impact their overall health and longevity. Ribboned sweetlips are known to grow rapidly when provided with proper nutrition and a suitable environment. Regular feeding several times a day, especially initially, and a varied diet consisting of fish, crustaceans, and invertebrates are crucial for their well-being.

Reef Suitability

Reef safe with caution, Ribboned sweetlips can be housed in a reef environment; however, their predatory nature poses a threat to smaller fish, shrimps, bivalves, worms, and snails. Providing ample hiding spots like live rocks can help minimize potential conflicts within a reef setup.

Aquarium Setup

Setting up an aquarium for Ribboned sweetlips requires a large tank with plenty of swimming space. Incorporating live rocks for hiding spaces and creating a sandy substrate is recommended. Due to their penchant for sifting through sand for food, which can cloud the water, maintaining pristine water quality is essential. Offering a live feed in the tank initially enhances their acclimatization and chances of successful adaptation to captivity.

Behaviour

This species exhibits a shy and docile temperament, emphasizing the need for a peaceful tank environment. Ribboned sweetlips are known to search through the substrate for food, potentially disrupting the tank's clarity while consuming detritus in the process.

Feeding and Diet

Ribboned sweetlips must be fed a varied diet comprising fish, larger crustaceans, other invertebrates, and small crustaceans like krill, mysis, and artemia. Frequent feeding multiple times a day, especially early on, is recommended to ensure their nutritional requirements are met adequately.

Habitat and Distribution

In their natural habitat, Ribboned sweetlips inhabit the East Indian Ocean, Australia, Indonesia, and the Central/West Pacific regions. Found in coastal waters, they thrive in environments with suitable hiding spots and access to sand substrate for foraging.