Family : Lethrinidae (Emperors or scavengers) , subfamily: Lethrininae
Order : Perciformes (perch-likes)
Class : Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
Fishbase Name : Longface emperor
Fish Name : Lethrinus olivaceus
Max size : 100.0 cm TL (male/unsexed; Ref. 2295); max. published weight: 14.0 kg (Ref. 9710)
Environment : reef-associated; non-migratory ; depth range 1 - 185 m
Climate : tropical; 28°N - 21°S
Global Importance : fisheries: commercial
Resilience: Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (K=0.06-0.25; tm=4.1-6; tmax=15)
Distribution : Indo-West Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa to Samoa, north to the Ryukyu Islands.
Diagnosis : Dorsal spines (total): 10-10; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-9; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 8-8. Probably the largest, longest-snouted lethrinid. Crimson cast on face and fins may develop in large courting males (Ref. 1602). Body color is gray, becoming lighter ventrally, often with scattered irregular dark blotches. The snout has wavy dark streaks. The upper jaw, especially near the corner of the mouth, is sometimes edged with red. Very similar to L. microdon, but more scales above lateral line and caudal fin more forked when young (Ref. 48635).
Biology : Largest and the longest-snouted lethrinid (Ref. 37816). Found in sandy coastal areas, lagoons, and reef slopes (Ref. 30573). Juveniles are found in shallow sandy areas. Often occurs in large schools. Adults deep along coastal slopes and drop-offs, usually solitary (Ref. 48635). Feeds mainly on fish, crustaceans, and cephalopods. In Palau, it spawns throughout the year on the first few days of the lunar month along the edges of reefs. Large individuals often ciguatoxic in New Caledonia and possibly elsewhere in Oceania (Ref. 9775). Ref. 48635 reports maximum depth of occurrence
Threatened : Dangerous:
Dangerous : reports of ciguatera poisoning , Carpenter, K.E. and G.R. Allen. 1989
Coordinator :
Main Ref : Carpenter, K.E. and G.R. Allen. 1989. (Ref. 2295)
India country information
Common Names : [ No common name ]
Status : native
Salinity : marine
Uses : no uses
