Bigeye Emperer

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