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Ornate emperor (Lethrinus ornatus) — Lethrinidae

Ornate emperor

Lethrinus ornatus
Family: Lethrinidae
LC · Least Concern

The Ornate emperor (Lethrinus ornatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Lethrinidae that grows up to 45 cm.

Length
45 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
5.0–30.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The ornate emperor is an emperor (Lethrinidae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species has an elongate, silvery body with orange-yellow lengthwise lines and often a red tinge on the fins. It inhabits sand and soft bottoms and seagrass beds in inshore bays, lagoons and areas near reefs. As a bottom hunter it cracks hard-shelled prey such as molluscs and crustaceans. It is a food fish. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Ornate emperor?

The Ornate emperor has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a horizontal stripes pattern.

Where does the Ornate emperor live?

The Ornate emperor lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Ornate emperor get?

The Ornate emperor grows to a maximum of about 45 cm.

Is the Ornate emperor dangerous to humans?

No, the Ornate emperor is harmless to humans.

Is the Ornate emperor edible?

Yes, the Ornate emperor is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Sier-keizersbrasem sourced
English name
Ornate emperor verified
Scientific name
Lethrinus ornatus
Family
Lethrinidae
Other names
Ornate emperor verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
45.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Horizontal stripes inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
5.0 verified
Max depth (m)
30.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Vissen met natuurlijk aas (vis, garnaal, worm) of kunstaas dicht bij rif- en rotsstructuren. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

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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