Plectropomus laevis

Description: Characterized by having two distinct color varieties, first is pale black-saddled form is whitish or pale yellowish with 5 dark brown to black, irregular, saddle like or wedge shaped bars or blotches on the dorsal part of head and body, 1st just behind the eyes, 2nd on the nape and 3rd to 5th under the dorsal fin; small dark-edged blue spots may be visible on the body; yellow colored fins, caudal peduncle, snout and jaws; black blotch centrally at the base of the paired fins; dark form is brown, olivaceous, red or nearly black, dark bars are usually faint or absent; numerous round, dark-edged blue spots on head and body, soft dorsal, caudal and anal fins and base of pectoral fins; pectoral fins dark brown distally, rays darker than membranes, rear edge white; flat interorbital area without scales; broadly rounded preopercle, with 3 large, ventrally directed spines along lower half; smooth interopercle and subopercle; opercle with 3 flat spines, upper and lower spines covered by skin; subequal in size, posterior and anterior nostrils, set in shallow groove running forward from eye; front of jaws with pair of large canine teeth (Ref. 89707); 1-4 large canines on side of lower jaw; elongate body, greatest depth 2.9-3.9 in SL; slightly emarginate caudal fin; pectoral and pelvic fins 2.1-2.5 in head length (Ref. 90102).

• Bodianus melanoleucus Lacepède, 1802
• Bodianus melanoleucos Lacepède, 1802
• Labrus laevis Lacepède, 1801
• Plectropoma maculatum var. B Playfair, 1867
• Plectropomus melanoleucus (Lacepède, 1802)
• Plectropoma maculatum var. C Playfair, 1867
• Bodianus cyclostomus Lacepède, 1802
• Plectropoma maculatum var. A Playfair, 1867
• Plectropomus maculatum melanoleucum (Lacepède, 1802)
• Plectropoma melanoleucum (Lacepède, 1802)
• Paracanthistius melanoleucus (Lacepède, 1802)