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🌊 Marine Least Concern 🍽️ Edible 🌡️ Tropical

Blackeye emperor

Lethrinus enigmaticus Smith, 1959
Max Length
55 cm
Max Weight
-
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
3.8
Depth
-
Climate
Tropical
Resilience
Low
Vulnerability
54.00/100
Typical Length
32.5 cm
Depth Zone
reef

📖 Overview

Found over seagrass beds, coral reefs and adjacent sandy areas. Feeds mainly on echinoderms, crustaceans, and fish, and to a lesser degree on mollusks. Smaller, more numerous females than males have been confirmed for the Saya de Malta population . Marketed fresh .

Scientific Name
Lethrinus enigmaticus
Authority
Smith, 1959
Habitat
Marine
Climate
Tropical
Body Shape
Fusiform / normal
IUCN Status
LC
Max Length
55 cm
Trophic Level
3.8
Resilience
Low
Vulnerability
54.00/100
Migration
Non-migratory
Salinity
30–40 ppt

🔬 Taxonomy

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 10; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 8. Body is yellowish bronze or gray, becoming lighter ventrally. Sometimes three bronze stripes are on the upper side. The head is gray, brown or sometimes bronze with a series of yellowish cross stripes on the upper portion of the head and snout. A light streak radiates from the eye to the anterior nostril. the lower edge of the orbit has dark purplish spots. The maxilla is reddish. The fins are pale, yellowish or bronze.: fusiform / normal; Cross section: oval.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Blackeye emperor is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

aquatic invertebrates
small fish
algae
detritus

🥚 Reproduction

Size at Maturity
25cm TL

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; reef-associated; non-migratory; depth range ? - 50 m. Tropical; 3°S - 9°S known only from the Seychelles.

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
🌊 Marine 🪸 Reef Associated
Migration
Non-migratory
Trophic Level
3.8±0.58
Food Items

echinoderms, crustaceans, and fish, and to a lesser degree on mollusks

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.01445 × L2.99 (TL)
Max TL
55cm
Dorsal Spines
10
Dorsal Rays
9
Anal Spines
3
Anal Rays
8

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Salinity Range
30–40ppt

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category
Least Concern
Assessment Date
2009

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
Low
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
54.00/100
Moderate-High vulnerability
Trophic Level
3.8
Predator
Body Shape
Fusiform / normal
Climate Zone
Tropical
Described By
Smith, 1959

🍽️ Edibility & Flavour

"Blackeye emperor is an edible species."

✗ Not for Raw
✓ Fresh Indicators
  • Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
  • Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
  • Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
  • Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
  • Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
✗ Avoid If
  • Cloudy or sunken eyes
  • Strong fishy or ammonia odour
  • Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
  • Discoloured or dry flesh
Best Cooking Methods
Baking Grilling Pan-frying

⚡ Nutrition

Per 100g cooked - Source: USDA FoodData Central

Nutrient Amount
Protein 20.1 g
Omega-3 (total) 122 mg

🔬 Mercury Safety

Mercury data for Blackeye emperor has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.

🌿 Sustainability

Best Choice
Healthy stocks, low impact
Good Alternative
Well-managed, minor concerns
Use Caution
Check sourcing and season
Avoid
Overfished or high impact
✓ Sustainable Choice

🔬 Full Nutritional Profile

Per 100g - Raw, per 100g - Source: USDA FoodData Central templates (generic fish average)

Proximate Composition
Energy125 kcal
Moisture75 %
Protein20 %
Total Fat4 %
Ash1.3 %
Fatty Acids (g)
Saturated Fat1 g
Monounsaturated Fat1.2 g
Polyunsaturated Fat1.5 g
Omega-3 Total1 g
EPA0.3 g
DHA0.5 g
Omega-6 Total0.3 g
Key Minerals & Vitamins
Calcium20 mg
Iron0.7 mg
Magnesium30 mg
Phosphorus220 mg
Potassium380 mg
Sodium55 mg
Zinc0.5 mg
Selenium32 µg
Vitamin B122 µg

📊 Population Dynamics

Year Region Index Notes
- - -

🌐 Names & Taxonomy

Language Common Names
🇬🇧English blackeye emperor
🌍CES cejnovka černooká
🇩🇰Danish Sortøjet kejserbrasen
🇫🇷French Lascar
🇵🇹Portuguese Imperador-castanho

🗺️ Global Occurrence Map

Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 2 records indexed .

Occurrence density from GBIF View GBIF records ↗

👥 Community & Contribute

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