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Emperor (Lethrinus variegatus) — Lethrinidae

Emperor

Lethrinus variegatus
Family: Lethrinidae
LC · Least Concern

The Emperor (Lethrinus variegatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Lethrinidae that grows up to 20 cm.

Length
20 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–150.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The slender emperor is an emperor (Lethrinidae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species has a slender, elongate body with a mottled, variable pattern and a pointed snout. It occurs solitarily or in small groups in sandy and weedy areas near coral reefs and on seagrass beds. With its jaw teeth it takes small invertebrates and cracks hard-shelled prey from the bottom. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Emperor?

The Emperor has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Emperor live?

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

How big does the Emperor get?

The Emperor grows to a maximum of about 20 cm.

Is the Emperor dangerous to humans?

No, the Emperor is harmless to humans.

Is the Emperor edible?

Yes, the Emperor is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Slanke keizer sourced
English name
Emperor verified
Scientific name
Lethrinus variegatus
Family
Lethrinidae
Other names
Pigface bream; Scavenger; Slender emperor verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
20.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Spots 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)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
150.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Protogynous (female first) sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
levensduur_max_jaar
15.0 verified

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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