There are around 35 species of sweetlips. These fish have big fleshy lips and tend to live on coral reefs in small groups or pairs. They will often associate with other fishes of similar species, and it is not unusual to see several species of sweetlips all swimming together. They are usually seen in clusters in nooks and crannies or under overhangs. Not until night falls do they venture from their shelters to seek out their bottom-dwelling invertebrate prey, such as bristleworms or shrimps and small crabs.
Ribboned Sweetlips
Also called: Yellow-Ribboned Sweetlips
Scientific name: Plectorhinchus polytaenia
This large group, seen in the daytime, is rather rare. You usually see these fish in smaller groups around table corals and other shelters.
Oriental Sweetlips
Scientific name: Plectorhinchus orientalis
These colorful characters can often be found schooling with Diagonal-Banded Sweetlips and Ribboned Sweetlips. I have seen them in large schools around Komodo.
Harlequin Sweetlips
Scientific name: Plectorhinchus chaetodontoides
Juveniles of this species apparently imitate flatworms. They're also brown with white spots, which reverse to white/yellow with black spots in adult-hood.
Diagonal-Banded Sweetlips
Also called: Yellow-Banded Sweetlips
Scientific name: Plectorhinchus lineatus
This one was photographed in a small group on the Liberty Wreck off Tulamben, which is the typical way to find them.