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Orange-finned emperor (Lethrinus erythracanthus) — Lethrinidae

Orange-finned emperor

Lethrinus erythracanthus
Family: Lethrinidae

The Orange-finned emperor (Lethrinus erythracanthus) is a saltwater fish of the family Lethrinidae that grows up to 70 cm.

Length
70 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
15.0–120.0 m
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: American Samoa, Australia, Solomon Is., Brunei Darsm, Cambodia, Taiwan/Ch Taipei and others
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The Orange-finned emperor is an emperor (Lethrinidae) from the Indo-Pacific. The species grows to about 70 cm and has an elongate body with a pointed snout and strong molars. The grey body has conspicuously orange to yellow fins. As a bottom-oriented predator it searches coral and rocky reefs and sand and seagrass flats for molluscs, crustaceans, sea urchins and small fish. It is a valued food fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Orange-finned emperor?

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

Where does the Orange-finned emperor live?

The Orange-finned emperor lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Oceania: American Samoa, Australia, Solomon Is., Brunei Darsm, Cambodia, Taiwan/Ch Taipei and others

How big does the Orange-finned emperor get?

The Orange-finned emperor grows to a maximum of about 70 cm. On average the species is around 50 cm.

Is the Orange-finned emperor dangerous to humans?

No, the Orange-finned 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 Orange-finned emperor edible?

Yes, the Orange-finned emperor is commonly eaten.

More photos

Orange-finned emperor (Lethrinus erythracanthus) — Lethrinidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Malte Sellin, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Orange-finned emperor (Lethrinus erythracanthus) — Lethrinidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) David R, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Orange-finned emperor (Lethrinus erythracanthus) — Lethrinidae — 4
cello caruso-turiello (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Orange-finned emperor (Lethrinus erythracanthus) — Lethrinidae — 5
Nicola Crockford (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
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All data

Identification

English name
Orange-finned emperor sourced
Scientific name
Lethrinus erythracanthus
Family
Lethrinidae
Other names
Emperor; Large-eye bream; Orange fin emperor; Orange spotted emperor; Orange-spotted emperor; Yellow-spotted emperor; Orangefin emperor; Orangespotted emperor; Pigface bream; Sweetlips; Thumprint emperor verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
70.0 verified
Average length (cm)
50.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
15.0 verified
Max depth (m)
120.0 verified
Natural range
Oceania: American Samoa, Australia, Solomon Is., Brunei Darsm, Cambodia, Taiwan/Ch Taipei and others 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
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 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

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