How to Identify Painted Sweetlips

To identify Painted Sweetlips (Diagramma pictum), look at these key features.

Physical Characteristics

Body shape

compressed

Coloration

Juveniles are strikingly patterned with black spots and stripes on a white to yellowish background. As they mature, the patterns fade, and adults typically become silvery-grey to brownish-grey, often with faint darker spots or lines, and sometimes a yellowish tinge on the fins. The lips are thick and fleshy, often yellowish.

Scale type

ctenoid

Mouth position

terminal

Distinctive features

Thick, fleshy lips, Pronounced color change from juvenile to adult, Deeply notched dorsal fin, Large, robust body

Dorsal fin

Single dorsal fin, deeply notched, with 12-14 spines and 19-25 soft rays. The spiny portion is longer than the soft-rayed portion.

Tail fin

Truncate to slightly emarginate caudal fin.

Pectoral fin

Moderately long and rounded pectoral fins.

Distinctive fins

Anal fin with 3 spines and 7-8 soft rays. Pelvic fins are thoracic.

Identification Tips

1. 1

   Juvenile Coloration

   Look for the distinctive black spots and stripes on a white or yellowish body. This pattern is unique among sweetlips and helps differentiate it from other species at this stage.

2. 2

   Adult Coloration and Body Shape

   Adults are silvery-grey to brownish-grey, often with faint spots or lines, and a robust, compressed body. The thick, fleshy lips are a key characteristic of the sweetlips family.

3. 3

   Fin Structure

   The deeply notched dorsal fin with a prominent spiny portion is a good identifier. Count the dorsal spines (12-14) and soft rays (19-25) for confirmation.

4. 4

   Size

   Adults can reach up to 100 cm (39 inches) in total length and weigh over 10 kg (22 lbs), making them one of the larger sweetlips species.

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