Fin's Fish Guide
The Black blotch emperor (Lethrinus harak) is a brackish-water fish of the family Lethrinidae that grows up to 55 cm.
Description
The thumbprint emperor is an emperor of the emperor family (Lethrinidae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 55 cm and has a streamlined, silver-grey body with a conspicuous dark, yellow-ringed blotch in the middle of the flank, resembling a thumbprint. It lives solitary or in small schools over shallow sandy, coral and seagrass bottoms. As a bottom predator it feeds on crustaceans, molluscs, worms, echinoderms and small fishes, which it crushes with powerful jaws. The thumbprint emperor is a valued food fish and is harmless to humans.
Frequently asked questions
How do you recognise the Black blotch emperor?
The Black blotch emperor has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a spots pattern. Striking dark, yellow-rimmed 'fingerprint' blotch on the flank; crushes hard-shelled prey with powerful jaws.
Where does the Black blotch emperor live?
The Black blotch emperor lives in brackish water and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Indo-West Pacific; shallow sandy, coral and seagrass bottoms.
How big does the Black blotch emperor get?
The Black blotch emperor grows to a maximum of about 55 cm. On average the species is around 30 cm.
Is the Black blotch emperor dangerous to humans?
No, the Black blotch emperor is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.
Is the Black blotch emperor edible?
Yes, the Black blotch emperor is commonly eaten.
More photos
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All data
Identification
Appearance
Habitat & distribution
Behaviour & biology
For anglers
Safety
Status & sources
Same genus Lethrinus
More from the family Lethrinidae
Want the complete picture on the Black blotch emperor?
Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Black blotch emperor is one of 12,519 species in the app.