Description:

Dorsal spines: 9-10; Dorsal rays: 21-25; Anal spines: 3; Anal rays: 7.

Body laterally compressed. Profile dorsally convex, ventrally relatively straight. Anterior profile of head deeply sloped. Fleshy protrusile lips which become a little 
fleshier with age. Caudal fin rounded becoming truncate with age. Ctenoid sclaes make body rough to the touch.

Colour: adults blue-grey with light to dark brown spots sometimes forming lines on head. Inside mouth bright orange to red. Dorsal fins with narrow dark margin.  Anal and 
pelvic fins tipped with black. Pectoral fin with transverse dark bar at base and distal rays dusky to dark (hyaline in younger specimens).

Maturity: Lm 31.8cm FL. Range unknown. Max Length: 100cm FL. Commonly 45cm TL.

Coastal inshore waters near reefs and open sandy areas, often in turbid water (depth 1-170m, usually 1-50m). Solitary or in groups. Juveniles are found in weedy areas. 
Feeds on benthic invertebrates and fishes. Distinct pairing during breeding.
 

This species is not protected or subject to fishery regulations. It is caught in the hand line fishery, where it is a common and on occasion relatively numerous component of 
the catch.

Fischer, W. & G. Bianchi (eds) (1984).  FAO species identification sheets for fishery purposes. Western Indian Ocean; (Fishing Area 51). Prepared and printed with the 
support of the Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA). Rome, Food nd Agricultural Organization of the United Nations, vols 1-6: pag. var.
Froese, R. & D. Pauly. (Eds.) (2019). FishBase. https://www.fishbase.se/summary/4465 (28/05/19).

Nevill, J.E.G. (2019). Diagramma pictum, Painted sweetlips. Seychelles Seatizens. www.seatizens.sc. https://seatizens.sc/species/diagramma-pictum-thunberg-1792/ (edited 04/07/22).