Painted sweetlips

Fish Species
Diagramma pictum thumbnail

Diagramma pictum

  • Saltwater
  • Near threatened
Max length39.25 in
Common length21.75 in
Length typeTotal Length
Max weight13 lb 4 oz
Depth range4 - 558 ft
Water typeSaltwater

Fish info

Common names

Australian slatey, Bluey, Grey sweetlips, Moke, Morwong, Mother-in-law fish, Painted blubber-lips, Slate bream, Slate sweetlips, Smokey bream, Thicklip, Yellowdot sweetlips, Blackall

IUCN Vulnerability status

  • Near threatened

    • Short description

    Painted sweetlips have fleshy lips which increase in size as the fish matures. There are 6 pores on the chin but the median pit is absent. The adults are predominantly blue-grey in colour marked with bright yellow to golden orange spots these frequently form a pattern of lines on the head. The inside of the mouth is vivid orange to red. The dorsal fins have black margins, the anal and pelvic fins have black tips. The juveniles have clear alternating black and white stripes. Their underparts are silvery yellow and they have yellow dorsal and caudal fins yellow marked with black blotches and broken stripes. The stripes grow as the fish grows and begin to split into small circular spots then they fade on the body although sometimes they are retained on the caudal fin.

    Habitat

    Frequently in turbid water. Their habitat can encompass open muddy, sandy or silty substrates in protected bays or estuaries, around rock outcrops, shipwrecks and rubble. It can also occur in shallow coastal waters and on coral reefs. The juveniles prefer weedy habitats.

    Distribution

    A wide Indo-Pacific distribution. Its range extends from the eastern coast of Africa from the Red Sea to KwaZulu-Natal eastwards as far as Fiji and north to Japan. It is not found in Australia and is mostly absent from the southern coast of New Guinea.

    Behaviour

    They feed on benthic invertebrates and smaller fishes. Can be found solitarily or in groups. Adults usually form large schools along reef slopes and in deeper lagoons during the day, dispersing to feed at night. The males and females form distinct pairs when spawning.

    Edibility

    If cooked correctly, they can be quite nice, despite being known as poor table fair.

    Lure suggestion

    Soft plastics, which imitate small fish or shrimp can be quite effective. Good bait: pilchards, squid, or mullet.