Painted Sweetlips

(Diagramma pictum)

Diagramma Sweetlips should only be added to very large aquariums preferrably zoo's and public aquariums as they grow very large very quickly. Provide the Diagramma Sweetlips an aquarium with ample open swim area, plenty of rockwork with caves, crevices, and cracks to hide and rest in. Juveniles are very colorful, as they mature their color begins to fade. Sweetlips grind their teeth and the sound resonates in their swim bladder making a Gruntsing noice. Sweetlips are peaceful, shy, nocturnal bottom feeders. Provide a diet rich in meaty foods fed several times daily. They will consume small fish and crustaceans. If they are not eating try fortified live Brine, Glass/Grass shrimp.

Painted Sweetlips are also sometimes known as the Australian Slatey, Grey Sweetlips, Morwong, or Painted Blubberlips. Occasionally seen in the aquarium trade. Juvenile and adult Painted Sweetlips will have drastic color and pattern differences. Juveniles have horizontal black and white stripes from their eyes to their tail fins and a white belly. Adults are gray with small tan to black spots. The Painted Sweetlips can grow to a little over 35".

We recommend a minimum aquarium size of 300 gallons or larger for this species.

Water conditions: Salinity 1.020 - 1.025, Temp (F) 72 - 78, pH 8.1 - 8.4, Alkalinity 8 - 12 dKH

  • Care: CareDifficultDifficult
  • Behavior: BehaviorSocialSocial
  • Diet: DietLive FoodLive Food DietFrozen FoodFrozen Food
  • Habitat: HabitatReefReef
  • Light: LightMediumMedium