Description:

Dorsal spines: 14; Dorsal rays: 15-16; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 7-8.

A robust deep bodied haemulid. Large, fleshy lips, becoming increasingly so with age. Chin with six pores. Ctenoid scales make body rough to touch. 

Colour. Dark to silvery grey or brownish with darker scale margins. A dark face. A black margin on the rear of the opercle. Fins darker than body. Juveniles dark coloured and mimic dead leaves by drifting on their sides.

Maturity: Lm unknown. Range unknown. Max Length: 75cm TL.
 

Found in shallow coastal waters, around reefs and in estuaries (depth 8-25m). It will enter mangroves and occasionally freshwater. Sometimes swims in small groups. 
Oviparous, distinct pairing during breeding. Small juveniles occur along sheltered sandy shorelines where they mimic a dead leaf by drifting on their sides.
 

This species is not protected or subject to fishery regulations. It is caught in the trap and hand line fisheries, but is an uncommon component of the catch.

Bray, D.J. (2018). Plectorhinchus gibbosus in Fishes of Australia, http://fishesofaustralia.net.au/home/species/455 (30/05/19). 
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/6366 (30/05/19).
Larson, H. (2012). Plectorhinchus gibbosus. The IUCN Red List 2012: http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2012.RLTS.T196408A2454631.en. (30/05/19).

Nevill, J.E.G. (2019). Plectorhinchus gibbosus, Harry hotlips. Seychelles Seatizens. www.seatizens.sc. https://seatizens.sc/species/plectorhinchus-gibbosus-lacepede-1802/ (edited 04/07/22).