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.