LETHRINIDAE Emperors
Familiar to many residents of the UAE as one of the prime food-fishes, emperors, related to the snappers, are among the most important fish caught in local waters and are greatly prized. There are at least three species represented in UAE waters.
Spangled or blue-spotted emperor Lethrinus nebulosus Locally = sheiry
Brownish-grey with distinctive blue spots on scales and blue starry effect around head. Spinous rays to front of dorsal and anal fins. Dorsal fin and caudal fin barred spots. Arabian Gulf and east coast on coral reefs, rocky outcrops and around inshore structures. Carnivorous, feeds on small fish, crustaceans and molluscs. 60 cm.
Longfaced emperor Lethrinus miniatus Locally = sheiry
Slimmer, more elongate and larger than L. nebulosus. Snout long and pointed, compared to other snappers present in region. Arabian Gulf and east coast, on coral reefs, rocky outcrops and around inshore structures. Feeds on small fish, crustaceans and molluscs. 90 cm.
Redspot Emperor Lethrinus lentjan Locally = sheiry
Characteristic gill cover edge bright red. Smaller and less common than L. nebulosus. On coral reefs, rocky outcrops and inshore structures. Feeds on small fish, crustaceans, and molluscs. 40 cm.