Family LETHRINIDAE
Emperors
Compiler and date details
2 February 2012 - Gerald R. Allen, Norbert J. Cross, Connie J. Allen, Matthew M. Lockett & Douglass F. Hoese
December 2006 - Gerald R. Allen, Norbert J. Cross, Connie J. Allen & Douglass F. Hoese
Introduction
The Lethrinidae comprise 39 species belonging to five genera. The Australian fauna contains 29 described species in the known five genera and at least three undescribed species. They are commonly known as emperors (Lethrinus) or large eye bream (all other genera).
Lethrinids are restricted to the tropical Indo-west and central Pacific. They are integral members of the soft and rubble bottom fish communities adjacent to coral reefs or offshore areas of the continental shelf. A few species are also found in estuaries and in seagrass beds. They are bottom-feeding carnivores that consume fishes, polychaetes, crabs, shrimps, gastropods, bivalves, cephalopods, sea urchins, sand dollars, starfish and brittle stars. Lethrinids are generalised percoid fishes that resemble snappers (Lutjanidae). However, they differ in having the cheek either completely or partially scaleless and several species have molar-like teeth on the side of the jaws. The maximum length is about 80 cm, but many species are only half this size or less.
Carpenter & Allen (1989) reviewed the lethrinids of the world and Carpenter (2001) treated most of the Australian species.
General References
Carpenter, K.E. 2001. Sparidae, Lethrinidae. pp. 2990-3050 in Carpenter, K.E. & Niem, V.H. (eds). The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific. FAO Species Identification Guide for Fisheries Purposes. Rome : FAO Vol. 5 2791-3379 pp.
Common Name References
History of changes
| Published | As part of group | Action Date | Action Type | Compiler(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19-Dec-2012 | 19-Dec-2012 | MODIFIED | ||
| 12-Feb-2010 | (import) |