Lethrinus rubrioperculatus

Spotcheek emperor LHB

23.4 cm TL

Characteristic features:

Colour:

Greenish brown with small dark blotches, lips and upper edge of opercle red, fins pale or pinkish.

Size:

Up to 50 cm TL.

Distribution:

Indo–West Pacific, in tropical waters.

Habitat:

Coral reefs, from 8 to 40 m depth.

Biology:

Feeds on crustaceans, echinoderms and fishes.

Indonesian fisheries:

Caught by handline, trap, and trawl.

Similar species:

Lethrinus amboinensis
Ambon emperor

Lethrinus amboinensis differs in having membranes between inner rays of pelvic fins with a dense covering of melanophores (vs. without).

Lethrinus conchyliatus
Maldive emperor

Lethrinus conchyliatus differs in having prominent bright red naked patch above pectoral-fin base (vs. area above pectoral-fin base scaled).

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