Home · Lethrinidae · Enigmatic emperor
Enigmatic emperor (Lethrinus enigmaticus) — Lethrinidae

Enigmatic emperor

Lethrinus enigmaticus
Family: Lethrinidae

The Enigmatic emperor (Lethrinus enigmaticus) is a saltwater fish of the family Lethrinidae that grows up to 55 cm.

Length
55 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0–50.0 m
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Africa: Seychelles
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Want the complete picture on the Enigmatic emperor?

Get the app

Description

The enigmatic emperor is an emperor (Lethrinidae) from reef and sandy water of the western Indian Ocean. The species grows to about 30 cm and has an elongate, silver-grey body with a pointed snout, thick lips and strong jaws. As a bottom-oriented fish it swims above sand and reef and crushes shellfish, crabs, sea urchins and worms. It is a valued food fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Enigmatic emperor?

The Enigmatic emperor has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Enigmatic emperor live?

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

How big does the Enigmatic emperor get?

The Enigmatic emperor grows to a maximum of about 55 cm. On average the species is around 33 cm.

Is the Enigmatic emperor dangerous to humans?

No, the Enigmatic emperor is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Is the Enigmatic emperor edible?

Yes, the Enigmatic emperor is commonly eaten.

More photos

Enigmatic emperor (Lethrinus enigmaticus) — Lethrinidae — 2
SAIAB (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — SAIAB
Enigmatic emperor (Lethrinus enigmaticus) — Lethrinidae — 3
Zinzi Somana (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — SAIAB
Fin

Want the complete picture on the Enigmatic emperor?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Enigmatic emperor is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →

All data

Identification

English name
Enigmatic emperor sourced
Scientific name
Lethrinus enigmaticus
Family
Lethrinidae
Other names
Blackeye emperor sourced

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
55.0 verified
Average length (cm)
32.5 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped 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
Max depth (m)
50.0 verified
Natural range
Africa: Seychelles sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Lethrinus

More from the family Lethrinidae

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Enigmatic emperor?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Enigmatic emperor is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →
Is this the Enigmatic emperor? Get the app