Family : Lethrinidae (Emperors or scavengers) , subfamily: Lethrininae
Order : Perciformes  (perch-likes)
Class : Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
Fishbase Name : Yellowlip emperor
Fish Name : Lethrinus xanthochilus
Max size : 70.0 cm FL (male/unsexed; Ref. 40637); max. published weight: 5,440 g (Ref. 40637)
Environment : reef-associated; non-migratory ; depth range - 150 m
Climate : tropical; 25°N - 33°S
Global Importance : fisheries: commercial
Resilience: Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (K=0.14-0.30)Distribution : Indo-Pacific: Red Sea, East Africa and the central Indian Ocean to the Marquesas Islands, 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. Body is yellowish gray with scattered irregular dark spots; lips yellowish, the upper lip more intense; a red spot at upper base of the pectoral fin. The fins are bluish grey and mottled, the bases of the fins are lighter and the edges of the dorsal and caudal fins are reddish.
Biology : Occurs in small groups over seagrass beds, sand and rubble areas of coral reefs, deep channels, and lagoons. Usually found in shallow water. Usually seen solitary but sometimes swims in small groups. Juveniles in seagrass beds (Ref. 48635). Feeds mainly on crustaceans, fishes, and echinoderms
Threatened : Dangerous:  
Dangerous : harmless
Coordinator :
Main Ref : Carpenter, K.E. and G.R. Allen. 1989. (Ref. 2295)

India country information
Common Names : കിലുക്കം പെട്ടി, കിലുക്കം മീട്ടി , Kilukkam-metti, Klunzinger's emperor, Rythung-filolu
Status : native
Salinity : marine
Uses : no uses