Family : Haemulidae (Grunts)
Order : Perciformes  (perch-likes)
Class : Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
Fishbase Name : Painted sweetlips
Fish Name : Diagramma pictum
Max size : 100.0 cm FL (male/unsexed; Ref. 3678); max. published weight: 6,300 g (Ref. 4699)
Environment : reef-associated; non-migratory ; depth range 1 - 170 m
Climate : tropical; 32°N - 32°S
Global Importance : fisheries: commercial; aquarium: commercial
Resilience: Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (K=0.17; tm=3-4; Fec=495,450)Distribution : Indo-West Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa to Japan, south to New Caledonia.
Diagnosis : Dorsal spines (total): 9-10; Dorsal soft rays (total): 21-25; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 7-7. Species of Diagramma differ from Plectorhinchus by having a much longer and narrower caudal peduncle and fewer dorsal fin spines (Ref. 37816). Juveniles yellow or white with broad black stripes and anterior part of dorsal fin tail. Adults become plain grey or spotted. The Queensland fish are plain grey (Ref. 48635).
Biology : Typically found on open muddy or silty substrates in protected bays or estuaries (Ref. 48635). Also in shallow coastal areas and coral reefs (Ref. 30573). Juveniles are found in weedy areas (Ref. 2799). Feeds on benthic invertebrates and fishes (Ref. 30573). Reportedly ciguatoxic in some areas (Ref. 2799). Marketed fresh and frozen (Ref. 9987)
Threatened : Dangerous:  
Dangerous : reports of ciguatera poisoning , Smith, M.M. and R.J. McKay. 1986
Coordinator :
Main Ref : Randall, J.E., G.R. Allen and R.C. Steene. 1990. (Ref. 2334)

India country information
Common Names : हरविळ, होतया
Status : native
Salinity : marine
Uses : no uses