| Lethrinidae (Emperors or scavengers), subfamily: Monotaxinae |
| 43 cm SL (male/unsexed) |
|
pelagic-neritic; marine; depth range 5 - 20 m |
| Southwest Pacific: New Caledonia, Chesterfield Is., and Fiji |
|
This species is distinguished by the following: a slender species with ratio of standard length to body depth between 2.65-3.06; forehead bumpy and lower edge of eye well above axis of body; moderately forked caudal fin with lobes slightly rounded; scales rows above lateral line 6; pored
scales on lateral line 48-49; colour of flanks silvery; scales above lateral line with a dark-grey basal patch forming longitudinal rows; scales with similar dark-grey basal patch on a more or less
extended portion of flank below lateral line; up to 24 or more pale-blue speckles against bronze background on snout and cheeks, distinctive on fresh and larger individuals but faint on smaller individuals; a pale-blue band joining the nostrils on forehead and reaching the eyes, bright in freshly captured larger individuals; the area immediately above eye (supraorbital shelf) forming a distinctive blackish eyebrow; more or less conspicuous vertical dark bar crossing the eye; upper lip is reddish to red while lower lip is white; the dorsal, pectoral, anal and caudal fins reddish to red (Ref. 107926). |
| Occurs on coral-sand bottom and collected using handlines; in lagoons and large pools. Stomach contents include broken bivalve shells and scraps of urchin shell (Ref. 107926). |
|
Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
|
| harmless |
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