Goldspotted Sweetlips

Plectorhinchus flavomaculatus

Goldspotted Sweetlips is a tropical Indo-Pacific sweetlips known for its yellow-gold spots on a dark body and thick fleshy lips. It is a reef-associated fish that feeds mostly on invertebrates; it is not a common sport target and is usually taken incidentally.

Saltwater

Goldspotted Sweetlips reference image — Derek Keats from Johannesburg, South Africa, cc-by, via Wikimedia Commons. Source: Wikimedia Commons.

Identification points

Dark body covered with distinct golden-yellow spots
Thick, protruding sweetlips mouth with fleshy lips
Long continuous dorsal fin with a spiny front section

Habitat

Lives on coral and rocky reefs, reef slopes, lagoons, and drop-offs, often close to structure during the day and foraging over sand or rubble at night.

Bait notes

Best taken on fresh squid, cut fish, shrimp, or small crab pieces fished near the bottom. Small soft-plastics or baitfish imitations may get bites if cast along reef edges.

Behavior

A nocturnal feeder that picks crustaceans, worms, and small benthic invertebrates from the bottom. Juveniles often school or hover near shelter; adults are usually solitary or in small groups.

Caution

Reef fish from tropical areas can pose ciguatera risk depending on location; check local advisories before eating. Handle carefully around the dorsal spines and avoid setting up to fish in protected reef areas where harvest may be restricted.

Fishing notes

Fish close to reef structure at dusk or after dark with a light-to-medium bottom rig and enough weight to hold position. Use abrasion-resistant leader to avoid reef cutoffs and avoid overhandling fish with spiny fins.