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Ambon emperor (Lethrinus amboinensis) — Lethrinidae

Ambon emperor

Lethrinus amboinensis
Family: Lethrinidae

The Ambon emperor (Lethrinus amboinensis) is a saltwater fish of the family Lethrinidae that grows up to 70 cm.

Length
70 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
5.0–30.0 m
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The Ambon emperor is an emperor (Lethrinidae) from reef water of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 40 cm and has an elongate, silver-grey body with a pointed head, thick lips and strong molars. As a bottom-oriented ambush hunter it searches over sand and reef bottoms for molluscs, crustaceans, sea urchins and small fish, which it crushes. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Ambon emperor?

The Ambon emperor has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Ambon emperor live?

The Ambon emperor lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Ambon emperor get?

The Ambon emperor grows to a maximum of about 70 cm. On average the species is around 40 cm.

Is the Ambon emperor dangerous to humans?

No, the Ambon emperor is harmless to humans.

Is the Ambon emperor edible?

Yes, the Ambon emperor is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Ambon-keizer sourced
English name
Ambon emperor sourced
Scientific name
Lethrinus amboinensis
Family
Lethrinidae
Other names
Ambon emperor verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
70.0 verified
Average length (cm)
40.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
5.0 verified
Max depth (m)
30.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Lethrinus

More from the family Lethrinidae

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