Lethrinus atkinsoni Seale, 1910
Pacific yellowtail emperor
Lethrinus atkinsoni
photo by Allen, G.R.

Family:  Lethrinidae (Emperors or scavengers), subfamily: Lethrininae
Max. size:  50 cm TL (male/unsexed); max. reported age: 24 years
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 2 - 30 m, non-migratory
Distribution:  Pacific Ocean: Indonesia and Philippines, north to southern Japan, south to Australia, east to the Tuamoto Islands. Has most frequently been named Lethrinus mahsena.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 10-10; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-9; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 8-8. Description: Color is bluish-gray, tan or yellowish on the upper sides, and white ventrally. The head is brown; lips reddish; caudal peduncle yellowish. The fins are pale, yellowish, orange or reddish. The base of the pectoral fins, the basal membranes of the anal fins and the edges of the pelvic, dorsal, anal and caudal fins are often reddish. Sometimes there is a broad yellowish indistinct band on the sides (Ref. 2295). Some have clear yellow horizontal band on sides extending to tail, caudal fin yellow. Body depth 2.3-2.6 in SL. Moderately short and blunt snout, 1.7-2.6 in HL. Supratemporal patch 4-8 scales. Pectoral fin axil scaled densely. Scale margins narrow dark (Ref. 90102).
Biology:  Inhabits seagrass beds and sandy areas of lagoons and outer reef slopes. Found singly or in schools. Feeds mainly on crustaceans, mollusks, and fish. Marketed fresh (Ref. 9775).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 09 March 2015 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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