Orange-spotted emperor

📖 Overview

Occurs in deep lagoons and channels, outer reef slopes and adjacent soft bottom areas . Solitary in or near ledges or caves by day . Feeds on echinoderms, crustaceans, mollusks , echinoids, crinoids and starfish . May be ciguatoxic in some areas . Caught by handline, vertical longline, traps, and trawls. Marketed mostly fresh .

🔬 Taxonomy

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 10; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 8. The largest species of Lethrinus distinguished by the following characters: body moderately deep, its depth 2.5-2.7 times in standard length (SL); head length 0.9-1 times in body depth, 2.5-2.8 times in SL; dorsal profile near eye nearly straight or slightly convex; snout moderately short, its length about 1.8-2.4 times in HL, measured without the lip the snout is 0.8-1.1 times in cheek height, its dorsal profile distinctly concave in large individuals and nearly straight in smaller individuals, snout angle relative to upper jaw between 55° and 69°; interorbital space convex; posterior nostril an oblong longitudinal opening, closer to orbit than anterior nostril; eye situated close to or far removed from dorsal profile, its length 2.7-5.2 times in HL; cheek moderately high, its height 2-3.4 times in HL; lateral teeth in jaws conical; outer surface of maxilla smooth or with a longitudinal ridge; D X,9 with 4th or 5th dorsal-fin spine the longest, its length 2.5-3.5 times in body depth; A III,8 with the 3rd, 4th or 5th soft ray usually the longest, its length much longer than length of base of soft-rayed portion of anal fin and 0.8-1.1 times in length of entire anal-fin base; pectoral-fin rays 13; pelvic-fin membranes between rays closest to body with or without dense melanophores; cheek without scales; 46-48 lateral-line scales; 4 ½ scale rows between lateral line and base of middle dorsal-fin spines; 15-18 scale rows in transverse series between origin of anal fin and lateral line; usually 15 rows in lower series of scales around caudal peduncle; 5-8 scales in supratemporal patch; inner surface of pectoral-fin base densely covered with scales; posterior angle of operculum fully scaly. Colour of body brown to dark grey, with indistinct scattered small dark and light spots, with irregular light stripes sometimes on lower sides; head brown or grey, often with many small orange spots on cheeks; pectoral and pelvic fins white to orangish, dorsal and anal fins mottled orange and bluish; caudal fin often bright orange .: fusiform / normal; Cross section: oval.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Orange-spotted emperor is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

This fish is carnivorous and is a bottom-feeder. It is known to eat such animals as starfishes, mollusks, crinoids, echinoids, echinoderms, and crustaceans.

🥚 Reproduction

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; reef-associated; non-migratory; depth range 15 - 120 m . Tropical; 30°N - 23°S East Africa to the Society and Tuamoto islands, north to the Ryukyu Islands, south to northeastern Australia.

🌿 Ecology

📐 Morphometrics

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

🍽️ Edibility & Flavour

"Orange-spotted emperor is an edible species."

⚡ Nutrition

Per 100g cooked - Source: USDA FoodData Central

Nutrient	Amount
Protein	20 g
Omega-3 (total)	124 mg

🔬 Mercury Safety

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

🌿 Sustainability

🔬 Full Nutritional Profile

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

📊 Population Dynamics

🌐 Names & Taxonomy

Scientific Synonyms

Scientific Name	Author	Year	Status
Lethrinus cinnabarinus	Richardson	1843	Synonym
Lethrinus kallopterus	Bleeker	1856	Synonym

🐠 Related Species

🔍 Similar Species

🗺️ Global Occurrence Map

Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 3 records indexed .

👥 Community & Contribute