Fish of The Week

Last Update : Friday 24 August, 2001 2:42 PM

Illust : Anuwat Saisaeng

Oriental sweetlip

Scientific name

Plectorhinchus orientalis

Common name

Oriental sweetlip

Size

40 centimeters

Dispersion

Andaman Sea in General. Have not been found in the Gulf of Thailand

Area found

Demersal fish, around rock piles specially at Similan

Depth

5 – 40 meters

Feed on

Other smaller crustaceans like shrimps, crabs, fish

Situation

Found in some areas. Quantity reduced

Conservation

This kind of fish is some time caught as food. Quantity depends on the state of coral reef.

Fish Tip

Demure but less wit by nature. Can be closely approached.

          This kind of oriental sweet lip fish has bright color, which can be remembered when seen anywhere. There used to be schools of them at Similan. Nowadays, they pass by in a group of few at a time. There is a high probability to see them when you dive pass large rocks. You have to be on alert though. They like to hide under the rock, together with other fishes like some other kinds of sweetlips and sea bass.

          The technique of closely observing them is simple. From what I have noticed, this kind of fish is not very clever. Their sight is not very good either. They do not have quick sense of awareness, normally. We can be very close, so close as to touch them. Yet, they are not aware. If you wait for the timing, it is not difficult to take their photograph.

          Another character of this fish is the sight that is looking at us with puzzling look and being scared before swimming away. Some times if you are in between two large rocks, you might find a school of them swimming toward you. But that was the past. There is almost no such sight left now.

          I believe who ever goes diving at Similan can still find them. Also there are some at Surin and other places in Andaman Sea. Normally they like to live in clear water. I do not find them very often at the islands near the coast like Phuket or Ranong.

Oriental sweetlip



Scientific name	Plectorhinchus orientalis
Common name	Oriental sweetlip
Size	40 centimeters
Dispersion	Andaman Sea in General. Have not been found in the Gulf of Thailand
Area found	Demersal fish, around rock piles specially at Similan
Depth	5 – 40 meters
Feed on	Other smaller crustaceans like shrimps, crabs, fish
Situation	Found in some areas. Quantity reduced
Conservation	This kind of fish is some time caught as food. Quantity depends on the state of coral reef.
Fish Tip	Demure but less wit by nature. Can be closely approached.

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