Snorkel Hawaii - Humpnose big-eye bream

Average Weight/Length

Max length : 60.0 cm TL male/unsexed; common length : 40.0 cm TL male/unsexed; max. published weight: 5.9 kg

Family, Genus, Class & Etymology

Family	Lethrinidae
Description	Emperors or scavengers
Environment	Brackish & Marine
Etymology	Greek, lethrinia, a fish pertaining to genus Pagellus
Genus	5
No. of Species	40
Order	Perciformes
Class	Actinopterygii
Reproductive Guild	Nonguarders
Distribution	Tropical waters of the Indo-Pacific (only Lethrinus atlanticus occurs in the Atlantic, off West Africa). Lethrinids are bottom-feeding, carnivorous, coastal fishes, ranging primarily on or near reefs. They typically feed primarily at night on benthic invertebrates or fishes, those with molariform teeth mainly on hard-shelled invertebrates. Lethrinids can be solitary or schooling and do not appear to be territorial. They often form large aggregations for pelagic spawning. Protogynous hermaphroditism (sex reversal from female to male) has been demonstrated in several species of Lethrinus. Dorsal fin with 10 spines and 9-10 soft rays. Three spines in anal fin; soft rays 8-10. Accessory subpelvic keel absent. Subocular shelf small. All but the smallest emperors are esteemed food fishes, although an iodoform odor is attributed to individuals of some species when cooked

Other "Popular" Names for this Fish

Bigeye Emperor

Location Habitat

Found in sand and rubble areas near coral reefs. Solitary fish are often encountered, but large adults usually form aggregations of up to about 50 individuals. Solitary or in groups. Benthopelagic. Nocturnal feeders. Feed mainly on gastropods, ophiuroids, and echinoids. Pagurids and brachyuran crabs, polychaetes, tunicates, and holothurians are consumed in lesser quantities. Marketed fresh. Ciguatoxic in Marshall Is.

Biology & Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 10; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 9. The inner surface of the pectoral fin base is densely scaled. Body is generally bluish-gray grading to whitish on ventral parts; lips are yellow to pinkish. The area around the eye is often yellow or orange. Fins are generally without distinctive markings. The membranes are clear or dusky but often reddish to yellow-orange. The base of the upper pectoral fin rays and the inner base (i.e. the body side) of the pectoral axil are black. The caudal fin usually has blackish rays contrasted against the paler membranous part of the fin. Small juveniles (often also in large 20-30 cm individuals) whitish on lower half and with three prominent black saddles separated by narrower white bars on upper half. A vertical black bar crosses the eye from above.

Geographic Species Map (Fishbase.org Map)

Summary of Distribution: Indo-Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa to the Hawaiian Islands and southeastern Oceania, north to Japan, south to Australia.

Note: Distribution range colors indicate degree of suitability of habitat which can be interpreted as probabilities of occurrence (fishbase.org)

Sport Fishing Techniques

	Drifting Drift fishing allows you to fish over a variety of habitats as your boat drifts with the currents or wind movement. You can drift fish on the bottom or change the depth with a bobber or float. Natural baits work best. But jigs, lures and artificial flies will produce good results, too. You can drift fish on the ocean, as well as ponds, lakes, rivers and streams any time of the day and year..

	Still Fishing The simplest of fishing methods can also be the most effective. Still-fishing is a matter of putting your bait in the water and waiting for a fish to find it. Depending on water depth and what you’re trying to catch, you may want to still-fish near the surface, at a mid-water depth, or right down on the bottom. Using a float, or bobber, makes it easy to fish near the surface, or you can add sinkers to your line to fish deeper. Still fishing is a versatile way to go. You can do it from a pier, a bridge, an anchored boat or from shore. You can still fish on the bottom or off the bottom in ponds, lakes, rivers and streams for a variety of species. And you can still fish during most seasons and during any part of the day. You have to be very patient. You need to wait for the fish to bite. Still fishing is a versatile way to go. You can do it from a pier, a bridge, an anchored boat or from shore. You can still fish on the bottom in ponds, lakes, rivers and streams for a variety of species. .

Picture (Fish)

Humpnose big-eye bream