Divefree

Fish

Barred Rubberlip

Plectorhinchus plagiodesmus

A striking rubberlip crossed by about a dozen black bars with vivid orange between them, ageing into a bronze fish with huge orange lips.

Also known as balk- rubberlip

Barred Rubberlip
Photo: markzie · CC BY-NC 4.0
Typical size
Attains 90 cm or more
Habitat
Coral crevices and reefs

The barred rubberlip always carries about 12 oblique, alternating black bars. The orange bars between them are most vivid up to around 40 cm, after which the fish fades to bronze with black bars and huge orange or yellow lips. It reaches 90 cm or more.

Large adults lie in coral crevices with their lips protruding, looking uncannily like an orange sponge. Juveniles are often caught alongside Harry hotlips. It ranges from Somalia to Madagascar and Natal.