Harlequin sweetlips (Plectorhinchus chaetodonoides: 60 cms.) are solitary and live in the Indian Ocean and the Western Pacific. Nocturnal hunters, they feed on small fish, crustaceans and molluscs. During the day, they are usually encountered resting under coral reef ledges. The species exhibits ontogenetic colour and pattern change, the juveniles being entirely different in appearance - brown with white blotches (see image HR9HCN). Juveniles wiggle constantly in an agitated manner, which is said to mimic the movements of a poisonous flatworm, as a means of deterring predators. Bali, Indonesia

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Size: 4309px × 3402px
Location: Near Tulamben, Bali, Indonesia
Photo credit: © Terence Dormer / Alamy / Afripics
License: Royalty Free
Model Released: No

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