Clown Sweetlips - Plectorhinchus chaetodonoides

Clown Sweetlips (Plectorhinchus chaetodonoides)

The Clown Sweetlips, Plectorhinchus chaetodonoides, is a spectacular marine fish best known for its dramatic juvenile pattern, with a dark body covered in large pale spots and an exaggerated swimming motion that helps it mimic toxic flatworms. Also known as the Harlequin Sweetlips or Many-spotted Sweetlips, this species changes considerably as it matures, becoming a very large, powerful fish with a paler adult pattern and thick fleshy lips. It is a specialist species for very large, mature fish-only marine aquariums and should only be considered by experienced keepers due to its adult size and difficult feeding transition.

Common Name:
Clown Sweetlips, Harlequin Sweetlips, Many-spotted Sweetlips, Clown Sweetlips Grunt, Spotted Sweetlips.

Scientific Name (Latin):
Plectorhinchus chaetodonoides

Maximum Size:
Up to around 70 cm in the wild. Aquarium specimens are often sold as attractive juveniles, but they should always be planned for as very large adult fish.

Water Type:
Marine

Origin / Natural Habitat:
Indo-Pacific. In the wild, Clown Sweetlips are associated with coral reefs, lagoons, reef slopes and sheltered reef areas. Juveniles are often seen close to shelter in coral-rich or rubble areas, while adults become larger reef fish that move more confidently around deeper reef structure and open areas.

Water Parameters:
Temperature: 24–27°C
pH Range: 8.1–8.4
Hardness or Salinity: Marine salinity 1.023–1.026 specific gravity; stable, mature marine conditions with excellent oxygenation and strong filtration are essential.

Temperament:
Peaceful to semi-aggressive. Juveniles can be shy and delicate, while adults become large, strong and capable of eating smaller fish and crustaceans. This species should not be kept with tiny fish, ornamental shrimp or timid species that may be stressed by its size and movement.

Diet:
Carnivorous predator. In the wild, sweetlips feed on benthic invertebrates and small reef animals. In the aquarium, offer a varied meaty diet including enriched mysis shrimp, krill, chopped prawn, clam, mussel, squid, white fish, marine carnivore preparations and quality sinking marine pellets. Juveniles can be difficult to wean onto prepared foods, so choose feeding specimens wherever possible and offer frequent small feeds during acclimation.

Minimum Tank Size:
A minimum of 1,500 litres is recommended for long-term care, with public-aquarium-sized systems preferred for adults. Juveniles quickly outgrow typical home aquariums, so this species should not be purchased for standard reef or community marine tanks.

Behaviour & Activity:
A slow, deliberate reef fish as a juvenile, often swimming with an exaggerated, undulating motion. As it grows, it becomes a much larger and stronger mid-to-lower water fish that requires open swimming space, large caves and sturdy rockwork. It may hide when first introduced and can lose condition rapidly if it refuses food.

Reef Safe:
Not Reef Safe
Not suitable for reef aquariums. It may eat ornamental shrimp, small crabs, worms and other mobile invertebrates, and its adult size makes it unsuitable for delicate coral displays. Large individuals may disturb aquascaping simply through movement.

Special Requirements or Care Notes:
This is an expert-level species with a poor survival record in typical home aquariums. Only attempt in a very large, mature fish-only or FOWLR system with excellent filtration, stable water quality and peaceful but suitably sized tank mates. Avoid aggressive feeders that may prevent juveniles from settling, but also avoid very small fish and invertebrates that may later be eaten. Check that the fish is feeding confidently before purchase, and plan for its adult size from the start.

Suitable for:
Expert only

Availability:
Occasional in trade / Specialist marine import

All images are a visual representation of the fish you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Please note that Mother Nature is a wonderful thing, and variation in patterns and colours will occur — that is part of the unique beauty of these animals.