This marine aquarium fish is known as
Indian Ocean Oriental Sweetlips, Oriental Thicklip and the correct latin name is
Plectorhinchus vittatus. It belongs to the
Grunts family. (
e) Origin of this species is
Indo-West Pacific. (
e)
Character and suggestions regarding care
Plectorhinchus Vittatus is a peaceful fish.
Indian Ocean Oriental Sweetlips can grow up to 80 cm what is approximately 31 inches. In general, 1 specimen requires at least 9600cm
2 of water surface which is approximately 1488 square inch. It is recommended to raise this species in fish tanks that are very large. (
e) Medium aquariums have at least 113 Litres (30 US Gallons). Large aquariums have at least 265 Litres (70 US Gallons). Very large aquariums hold at least 700 Litres (185 US Gallons).
It is difficult to keep the Indian Ocean Oriental Sweetlips fish. (
e) The specific gravity (SG) should be between 1,020 and 1,025, the temperature between 23°C (73.4°F) and 26°C (78.8°F). The suggested level of pH (a measure of the acidity/basicity) is between 8.0 and 8.3 which is usual for most marine fish.
P. vittatus is a very big fish and is not suitable for home aquariums. It is not only because they are so big, but also because they live in shoals, so you should have many of them in one tank and that is for ordinary people almost impossible If you want to see them in nature, you should search for them on coral reefs. They eat crustaceans, smaller fish, squids, mollusks, blackworms and similar diet based on meaty food, because they are carnivores.
Thanks to
Kenneth Leonard for the pictures. Copyright Ken Leonard.

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Document modified on Fri Feb 6 1:53:23 UTC 2009
Document created on Fri Feb 6 1:53:23 UTC 2009
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