It’s rather amazing that this big, bright ghostly blue-white, shallow-water species is only now documented by science, but judging by what fisherman say, the species is very elusive.

As with other sweetlips, their juvenile coloration is very different than their adult coloration.  The photo below is a juvenile Plectorhinchus caeruleonothus, which interestingly enough resembles the adult oriental sweetlips (P.vittatus) we sometimes see sold to hobbyists. Public service announcement: Plectorhinchus usually get very big, so while they’re hardy, they really don’t make good captive fish unless you have a massive aquarium and don’t mind them snacking on smaller fish.

Juvenile Blue Bastard

[via Daily Mail UK]