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Emperor (Lethrinus reticulatus) — Lethrinidae

Emperor

Lethrinus reticulatus
Family: Lethrinidae
LC · Least Concern

The Emperor (Lethrinus reticulatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Lethrinidae that grows up to 40 cm.

Length
40 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
5.0–30.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Indo-West Pacific; soft bottoms near reefs.
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The reticulated emperor is an emperor (Lethrinidae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species has an elongate, silvery-brown body with a fine net-like pattern of dark lines on the scales, to which the name refers. It lives solitarily or in small groups on soft bottoms near reefs. As a bottom predator it feeds on benthic invertebrates, such as crustaceans and molluscs, and small fishes. It is a food fish. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Emperor?

The Emperor has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a spots pattern. Fine net-like pattern on the scales; bottom predator of soft bottoms near reefs.

Where does the Emperor live?

The Emperor lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Indo-West Pacific; soft bottoms near reefs.

How big does the Emperor get?

The Emperor grows to a maximum of about 40 cm.

Is the Emperor dangerous to humans?

No, the Emperor is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Emperor edible?

Yes, the Emperor is commonly eaten.

More photos

Emperor (Lethrinus reticulatus) — Lethrinidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Vince Golder, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Emperor (Lethrinus reticulatus) — Lethrinidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Vince Golder, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Emperor (Lethrinus reticulatus) — Lethrinidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) uwkwaj, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Emperor (Lethrinus reticulatus) — Lethrinidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) uwkwaj, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
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All data

Identification

English name
Emperor verified
Scientific name
Lethrinus reticulatus
Family
Lethrinidae
Other names
Red snout emperor; Redsnout emperor verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
40.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey 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)
5.0 verified
Max depth (m)
30.0 verified
Natural range
Indo-West Pacific; soft bottoms near reefs. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Benthic invertebrates (crustaceans, molluscs) and small fishes sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Fine net-like pattern on the scales; bottom predator of soft bottoms near reefs. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Fishing with natural bait (fish, shrimp, worm) or lures close to reef and rock structures. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. 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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