Spangled Emperor, Lethrinus nebulosus (Forsskål, 1775)

Scientific name: Lethrinus nebulosus
Alternative name/s:
Green Snapper, Morwong, North-west Snapper, Sand Bream, Sand Snapper, Sixteen-pounders, Yellow Sweetlip
  • Author(s)
    Mark McGrouther
  • Updated
    15/01/19
  • Read time
    2 minutes
Spangled Emperor, Lethrinus nebulosus Click to enlarge image
A Spangled Emperor at Fairy Bower, Manly, New South Wales, 24 February 2008. Image: Richard Ling
© Richard Ling

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Lethrinus
    Species
    nebulosus
    Family
    Lethrinidae
    Order
    Perciformes
    Class
    Actinopterygii
    Subphylum
    Vertebrata
    Phylum
    Chordata
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    The species grows to about 86 cm in length.

The Spangled Emperor is yellow to yellowish brown with blue markings on the head and sides of body. The species occurs on coral reefs, rocky reefs and sandy habitats.

Identification

The Spangled Emperor is yellow to yellowish brown with blue markings on the head and sides of body. The cheeks lack scales.

Spangled Emperor, Lethrinus nebulosus - juvenile
A juvenile Spangled Emperor caught on hook and line (prawn bait) under a float at Ettalong, New South Wales, March 2010. Image: Robyn Ashton
© Robyn Ashton

Habitat

The species occurs on coral reefs, rocky reefs and sandy habitats in tropical and subtropical waters of the Indo-west Pacific.

Distribution

In Australia it is known from south-western Western Australia, around the tropical north of the country and south on the east coast to the central coast of New South Wales.

The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums.

Distribution data sourced from the Atlas of Living Australia

Economic impacts

According to Hutchins and Swainston (1986), the species has a 4 star (excellent) edibility rating.

References

  1. Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & G.R. Allen. 2006. Fishes. in Beesley, P.L. & A. Wells. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Volume 35. ABRS & CSIRO Publishing: Australia. parts 1-3, pages 1-2178.
  2. Hutchins, B. & R. Swainston. 1986. Sea Fishes of Southern Australia. Complete Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Swainston Publishing. Pp. 180.
  3. Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 557.