Painted Sweetlips (spotted)

Diagramma pictum is a species of marine fish in the family Haemulidae. It is widespread throughout the tropical waters of the Indo-West Pacific region, Red Sea included.

Other names: Slate Sweetlips.

Description

It has an elongated, slightly laterally compressed body, giving it a sleek and graceful appearance. Adult individuals can reach lengths of up to 100 cm, making it one of the largest fish in its family.

Its coloration ranges from silvery-gray to greenish-gray, with characteristic dark spots scattered across its body. These spots vary in prominence depending on the fish’s age and environment. Juveniles often display vibrant stripes or patterns that fade as they mature.

It has a large head with a blunt profile and a downward-facing mouth, adapted for bottom feeding. Its lips are thick and fleshy, with a noticeable fold — one of the species' defining features.
The dorsal fin is long and divided into two sections: the anterior portion with sharp spines and the posterior portion with soft rays. The tail fin is rounded, the pectoral fins are broad, and the pelvic fins are small and rounded.

Distribution

Indo-West Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa to Japan, south to New Caledonia.

Habitat

It is found in coastal and sandy reef areas in depths to 80 m. Typically found solitary or in groups, often in turbid water, on open muddy, sandy or silty substrates in protected bays or estuaries, around rock outcrops, wreckage and debris. Also in shallow coastal areas and coral reefs. Juveniles are found in weedy areas. Feeds on benthic invertebrates and fishes.

It is often observed alone or in small groups. Its calm and slow-moving nature makes it less aggressive compared to other reef inhabitants. Juveniles sometimes form small schools and tend to stay closer to the surface.

Reportedly ciguatoxic in some areas.

Parasites

As other fish, the painted sweetlips is the host of many parasites. These include the lepocreadiid digenean Holorchis castex and the monorchiid digenean Lasiotocus plectorhynchi in the intestine and the cystidicolid nematode Metabronemoides mirabilis in the stomach.