Dispatch Method:

Red emperor should be killed humanely by iki jime or a firm knock to the head before placing them in an ice slurry after bleeding. Large red emperor can be energetic and therefore hard to handle. A firm knock on the head may be easier to implement to stun the fish first before attempting iki jime.

Fish Description:

• Dorsal profile of head steeply sloped.
  
• Colouration generally red or pink. Juveniles and young adults have 3 red bands along each side interdispersed with white areas (see thumbnail pic). Large adults become uniformly red.
  
• This species is relatively slow growing and matures between 8 and 10 years old at 45-50 cm long. They can live for up to 40 years.

Fish Distribution:

• This species can be found near coral reefs throughout the tropical and subtropical Indo-west Pacific region, including northern Australia.
  
• Juveniles less than 20 cm long are common in near shore areas including mangroves and coastal reefs.
  
• Adults occur offshore in the vicinity of coral or rocky reefs, often over adjacent sand flats and gravel patches.

Fish Size Common Length:

45-60 cm, maximum size around 120 cm and 32 kg.