
Also known as:
Emperor
Red Snapper
Government Bream
King Snapper
Emperor snapper
Reds
Common Group Name:
Tropical Snappers
Family Name:
Lutjanidae
Genus Name:
Lutjanus
Species Name:
Lutjanus sebae
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.