Top Minstrel Sweetlips Fishing Countries

The Top Minstrel Sweetlips (*Plectorhinchus diagrammus*), also known as the striped sweetlips or yellow-banded sweetlips, is a visually striking reef fish found throughout the Indo-Pacific region, particularly in coral-rich coastal waters. Recognized for its bold yellow and blue stripes, this species is valued both as a food fish and for the aquarium trade. The principal countries involved in harvesting Minstrel Sweetlips are Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Thailand, where artisanal and small-scale commercial fisheries target sweetlips using handlines, traps, and nets. Indonesia, boasting vast coral reef systems, is the leading producer, with significant catches also reported in the Philippines and Malaysia. While not as heavily targeted as some grouper or snapper species, Minstrel Sweetlips contribute to local economies and are often sold fresh in regional markets, making them an important, though somewhat niche, component of the reef fishery industry in Southeast Asia.

Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.