Plectorhinchus lessonii (Cuvier, 1830)
Lesson's thicklip
Plectorhinchus lessonii
photo by Randall, J.E.

Family:  Haemulidae (Grunts), subfamily: Plectorhinchinae
Max. size:  40 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 1 - 35 m
Distribution:  Western Pacific: Malaysia to Melanesia, north to Japan.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 12-13; Dorsal soft rays (total): 18-22; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 7-8. Description: Adult white, lips yellow, head with horizontal stripes and broken lines greenish black, back with 4-5 stripes brown. abdomen without stripes; pectoral fin base spot black, dorsal, anal, and caudal fins spots brown large (Ref. 48635, 90102). Juvenile with horizontal stripe above eye to soft dorsal fin white, and from head to tail midlateral broad black. Body depth 2.5-2.8 in SL. Caudal fin rounded in juveniles becoming truncate in adult. Dorsal 3rd to 5th spines longest. (Ref. 90102)
Biology:  Inner and outer reef lagoons, usually in caves along steep slopes. Juveniles in shallow lagoons or protected shallow reefs (Ref. 48635). During the day, occurs under coral ledges of channel and outer reef slopes (Ref. 37816). Solitary (Ref. 90102).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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