Plectorhinchus gaterinus (Fabricius, 1775)
Blackspotted rubberlip
Plectorhinchus gaterinus
photo by Hermosa, Jr., G.V.

Family:  Haemulidae (Grunts), subfamily: Plectorhinchinae
Max. size:  50 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 55 - 80 m
Distribution:  Western Indian Ocean: Persian Gulf (Ref.80050) and Red Sea south to Natal, South Africa, Mauritius, Madagascar and Comoro Islands. Reported as likely at Seychelles (Ref. 1623) but Randall and van Egmond 1994 (Ref. 10685) believe otherwise.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 13-13; Dorsal soft rays (total): 19-20; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 7-7. Adults silvery with spots; small juveniles with stripes.
Biology:  Occurs in coastal reefs, sand banks and near estuaries (Ref. 2871). Often in large groups under ledges or along coral slopes by day (Ref. 9710). Flesh with an iodoform taste (Ref. 2799). Maximum depth reported taken from Ref. 9773.
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 28 June 2018 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


Source and more info: www.fishbase.org. For personal, classroom, and other internal use only. Not for publication.