Harlequin Sweetlips (Asia Pacific)

Sweetlips are large fish that make incredible display animals in the right aquarium. They are friendly with other large-bodied fishes but will greedily swallow whole any small or slender fish as well as shrimp, crabs, snails, serpent stars, and worms. They do not harm corals, but may knock over lose decor with their strong tails. They are best kept singly in all but the largest of aquaria, and then they should be added at the same time. In time they may become real pets and recognize their owner.

Sweetlips feed by sucking in their food whole into their enormous mouths. They are carnivores and should be fed at least twice a day a high quality diet of krill, silversides and chopped seafood. They are heavy feeders and thus strong filtration is necessary.

The Harlequin sweetlips is usually available as an adorable juvenile, but its potential for growth should not be underestimated. Small fish are a caramel color with big white polka dots and oversized fins. They swim in an undulating fashion, resembling a clownfish, to mimic the movements of poisonous flatworms and avoid predation. They grow into handsome fish with olive colored bodies and countless black spots, silver bellies, and black fins. Males and females are identical. The Harlequin Sweetlips grows up to 28 inches and requires an aquarium of at least 225 gallons.