The species occurs in tropical marine waters. Adult Giant Sweetlips are found as solitary individuals or in pairs on outer reef slopes.
Adult Giant Sweetlips have black pectoral, pelvic and anal fins. The posterior end of the dorsal fin and the edges of the caudal fin are also black. The body and head are mottled grey to brown. Juvenile Giant Sweetlips look very different from adults; they are black with two yellow stripes above, and yellow below.
Adult Giant Sweetlips are found as solitary individuals or in pairs on outer reef slopes. Juveniles are usually seen near the lower reaches of rivers and adjacent reefs. The species can be found at depths of 2 m to 50 m.
The species occurs in tropical marine waters of the Indo-Pacific, from East Africa, north to Japan, south to Australia, and east to Fiji. In Australia it is known from the Great Barrier Reef, Queensland.
The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Source: Atlas of Living Australia.
- Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & G.R. Allen. 2006. Fishes. In Beesley, P.L. & A. Wells. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Volume 35. ABRS & CSIRO Publishing: Australia. parts 1-3, pages 1-2178.
- Myers, R.F. 1999. Micronesian Reef Fishes. Coral Graphics. Pp. 222.
- Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 415.