SWEETLIPS, PAINTED

P, S -

SWEETLIPS, PAINTED

Scientific Name: 
Diagramma pictum
Salt/Fresh: 
Salt
Also Known As: 
Painted Sweetlips; Slatey; Blackall; Bluey; Slate Bream; Thicklip; Thicklip Bream; Morwong (incorrect); Mother-in-law Fish; SWEETLIPS, PAINTED
Rating: 
Countries: 
Australia
Description: 

Painted Sweetlips are one of a few species of fish referred to officially as Sweetlips, however this is somewhat confusing given the common use of the name sweetlip to some of the emperors. Some have since referred to this group as blubber-lips.

How To Identify: 

The Painted Sweetlips (Slately) is similar in body shape to the other Sweetlips however with probably a little less blubbery lips. They are a dull brown to grey and lighter below, although when just caught can appear quite bronze. They have a powerful square cut tail which is covered in small dots. The Painted Sweetlips can grow to about 7 kgs.

How To Catch: 

The Painted Sweetlips are probably targeted more than its cousins but this is probably due to the fact they school (and can be caught in numbers), in particular around sandy bottoms which can easily be fished. Best caught with small strips of fish bait cast towards the school of feeding fish.

Where Found: 

Painted Sweetlips (Slatey) are found along the Queensland Coast and into Northern New South Wales, also through the top of the Northern Territory and in the Northern Western part of Western Australia. They like sandy bottomed lagoons and inshore waters, such as sand flats where they can school in large numbers.

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