| Family: |
Lethrinidae (Emperors or scavengers), subfamily: Lethrininae |
| Max. size: |
40 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
reef-associated; marine; depth range - 40 m, non-migratory |
| Distribution: |
Indian Ocean: including the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf south to Durban, South Africa, then east to North Bay Reef, Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Reports of this species elsewhere are probably due to misidentification. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 10-10; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-9; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 8-8. The inner surface of the pectoral fin base is densely scaled; posterior angle of the operculum is fully scaled; cheeks without scales. Color of body is dark gray or yellow-brown, head is brown-gray. The centers of scales are lighter. Sometimes there is an irregular pattern of broken dusky bars becoming whitish on the lower part of the body. The pectoral and pelvic fins are white of pinkish. The dorsal and anal fins are mottled white or yellowish with reddish edge. The caudal fin has indistinct reddish bands. |
| Biology: |
Found in sandy areas near reefs during daytime, sometimes in small groups. At night, they are solitary and range over reef-flats and slopes where they feed primarily on echinoderms, mollusks and crustaceans (Ref. 2295). The taxonomy of this species has been considerably confused. |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 28 June 2018 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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