Diagramma pictum
Painted Sweetlips
©Anne: Diagramma pictum at Cobia Hole, Lizard Island, with isopod parasite Anilocra longicauda attached to the tail peduncle. This fish had two parasites, one on each side.
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Actinopterygii
Order
Perciformes
Family
Haemulidae
Genus
Diagramma
Species
Diagramma pictum
Colours
Distinguishing features
This species exhibits considerable colour variation. Juveniles are yellow or white with broad black stripes and anterior part of dorsal fin tail. Adults become plain grey or spotted. The fish in Queensland Australia are plain grey.
Size
- From 32 cm to 100 cm (Fork Length) - applies to Mature specimens
- From 0 cm to 32 cm (Fork Length) - applies to Immature specimens
Depth range
- From 1 m to 170 m - applies to Usually within the first 50m.
Synonyms
Distribution
©Atlas of Living Australia: Australian distribution
Distribution and habitat preferences
Typically found on open muddy or silty substrates in protected bays or estuaries. Also in shallow coastal areas and coral reefs. Juveniles are found in weedy areas (FishBase).
Web resources
References
- Bruce, N.L. (1986). Australian Pleopodias Richardson, 1910, and Anilocra Leach, 1818 (Isopoda: Cymothoidae), crustacean parasites of marine fishes, Records of the Australian Museum, 39: 85-130. LIRS catalog number 221.
- Burdon-Jones, C. and G.R.W. Denton (1981). Metals in marine organisms from the Great Barrier Reef Province. Part 1. Base line survey,Interim Progress Report, James Cook University, Townsville.. LIRS catalog number 69.
- Caley, M.J. (1991). Mechanisms of coexistence in communities of coral-reef fishes, Ph.D. thesis, University of Sydney. LIRS catalog number 307.
- View all references