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Little Shop of Coral

Yellow Line Sweetlips (Plectorhinchus diagramus)

Yellow Line Sweetlips (Plectorhinchus diagramus)

$80.00 CAD
$80.00 CAD
Sale Sold out

The Yellow Line Sweetlips is a bold, high-impact fish with an unforgettable look and a ton of presence in larger displays. Juveniles are especially eye-catching and often have unique swimming behaviour, while adults grow into a large, powerful fish that needs real space and heavy filtration. This species is best suited for large fish-only or predator-style systems, not typical reef tanks.

Why we love it

  • Incredible patterning and a true “feature fish” look

  • Big personality and strong presence in large displays

  • Great choice for experienced keepers with large systems

Suggested parameters

  • Temperature: 24–26°C (75–79°F)

  • Salinity: 1.024–1.026 SG

  • pH: 8.1–8.4

  • Alkalinity: 8–10 dKH

  • Ammonia/Nitrite: 0

  • Nitrate: Under 20 ppm (lower is better with large fish)

Care and temperament

  • Difficulty: Moderate to advanced

  • Temperament: Peaceful to semi-aggressive

  • Reef safe: With caution (may eat small shrimp and some inverts, and can disturb corals as it grows)

  • Minimum tank size: 180 gallons recommended (larger is strongly preferred long-term)

Diet

Sweetlips are meaty-food eaters and do best with a varied, nutrient-rich diet.

  • Frozen mysis, krill, and chopped shrimp

  • Chopped clam, mussel, squid, and quality seafood blends

  • High-quality pellets for carnivores once established

  • Feed 1 to 2 times per day, smaller portions more often when possible

Compatibility and tankmates

  • Best with other larger, calm to semi-aggressive fish

  • Avoid housing with very aggressive predators that may harass it

  • Not recommended with a delicate clean-up crew

  • Provide open swimming space plus rockwork for shelter

  • A tight-fitting lid is recommended during acclimation

Growth and long-term planning

This fish grows large and needs a long-term plan for tank size and filtration. It is best purchased only if you are prepared for its adult size and bio-load.

What you are buying

  • You will receive: 1 Yellow Line Sweetlips (Plectorhinchus diagramus)

  • Colour, pattern, and size can vary between individuals

As with all fish, slow acclimation is recommended, and quarantine is encouraged when possible for high-value systems.

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LIGHT

LOW: Place coral at the bottom of the tank. Depending on the type, coral may need to be placed off sand and therefore mounted on a ceramic disc of piece of rock.

MEDIUM: Place coral at mid-range of the tank. Best placed/glued on top of a rock scape at mid-range height. 

HIGH: Place coral from mid range to just below water level. SPS coral are shallow growing so they require and are able to tolerate intense light.

FLOW

LOW: Most soft coral do well with a small, gentle pulse. There are certain corals that can even be placed in areas of indirect flow, meaning places aside a rock structure or set into a entrance to a cave style space.

MEDIUM: Many LPS types of coral prefer medium pulse current. Most Euphyllia or corals that have more tissue structure connected to their skeleton, don’t like to be in a high flow area like the direct flow of the wave pump.

HIGH: Similar to high light, SPS enjoy being in some heavy current. Most LPS and SPS that branch encrust or plate prefer high flow that simulates the top water waves.

SKILL

ENTRY: While some may say beginner level, "Entry" is a good term to be used when starting out in the world of corals and marine life. Prior to adding livestock, you want to ensure that your reef has the proper parameters including zero levels of ammonia and nitrite. Seeing traces of nitrate in your waters is a good sign - just keep them at a lower level of 2ppm to 10ppm. Maintaining correct temperature and salinity are a huge factor to stable parameters. Starting to monitor your PH, alkalinity, calcium and magnesium is a great habit to get into to keep a successful reef.

While some soft coral don’t require too much light, having a proper reef light that puts out the proper pars is very important. You'll also want to have a good amount of flow and protected rock areas, as placing corals in their happy spot is ideal for success.

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