Threadfin Emperor, Lethrinus genivittatus Valenciennes, 1830

Scientific name: Lethrinus genivittatus
Alternative name/s:
Lance Emperor, Lancer, Longspine Emperor
Threadfin Emperor, Lethrinus genivittatus Click to enlarge image
A Threadfin Emperor caught on hook and line at Broughton Island, off Port Stephens, New South Wales, January 2014. Image: Hugo Simpson
© Hugo Simpson

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Lethrinus
    Species
    genivittatus
    Family
    Lethrinidae
    Order
    Perciformes
    Class
    Actinopterygii
    Subphylum
    Vertebrata
    Phylum
    Chordata
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    The species grows to about 25 cm in length.

Introduction

The Threadfin Emperor's second dorsal fin spine is longer than the other dorsal spines. The fish is normally light brown to greenish above and pale below often with 2 or 3 brown lines. The sides have oblique brownish bars and a square black blotch above the pectoral fin.

Habitat

It lives in sandy or rocky areas and in seagrass beds. The species is known from estuarine and inshore areas.

Distribution

The Threadfin Emperor occurs primarily in tropical waters of the east-Indo-west Pacific region.

The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Click on the map for detailed information. Source: Atlas of Living Australia.

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. Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 557.