
Also known as:
Pacific yellowtail emperor
Reticulated emperor
Tricky snapper
Yellow morwong
Yellow-tailed emperor
Common Group Name:
Emperors
Family Name:
Lethrinidae
Genus Name:
Lethrinus
Species Name:
Lethrinus atkinsoni
Dispatch Method:
Beware of the sharp dorsal and anal spines of yellow tailed emperor when handling them. To maximise their eating qualities they should be killed humanely by iki jime or a firm knock to the head before placing them in an ice slurry after bleeding.
Fish Description:
- Colouration is gray, tan or yellowish on the upper sides, and white ventrally. The head is brown; lips reddish; with a yellowish tail. The fins are yellowish, orange or reddish.
- This species matures at 3-5 years old (23-30 cm long).
- Maximum reported age 24 years.
- A large number of similar looking emperors occur in Australian waters. All are closely related and have similar brain locations.
Fish Distribution:
- This species occurs in tropical coral reef areas throughout the Indo-Pacific region.
- Juveniles inhabit seagrass beds and sandy areas of lagoons, while adults are commonly encountered near coral outcrops and along outer reef slopes.
Fish Size Common Length:
30-35 cm, maximum size around 50 cm and 3 kg.