Fish
Lemonfish Rubberlip
Plectorhinchus flavomaculatus
A shy, coral-lurking rubberlip with a red mouth, whose juvenile stripes break up into scattered spots on a silvery adult body.
Also known as lemmetjievis
- Habitat
- Coral reefs
The lemonfish is a sweetlips with a mouth that is red inside. Small juveniles up to about 12 cm carry stripes, which break up into spots on a silvery body as the fish matures. It is a wary species, lurking among coral reefs and often taken in traps.
It ranges from the Red Sea south to Natal, and out to Mauritius, Madagascar and the Comoros. The flesh is not highly rated, sometimes carrying an iodoform taste, so it is caught more by chance than intent.