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Emperors (Large-eye Bream)


Emperors or sometimes called the scavengers are found mainly in tropical waters of the Indo-Pacific and Indian Oceans. They are excellent food fish.

Emperors are bottom-feeding carnivores consuming invertebrates and small fishes. Some species have molariform teeth which they use to eat invertebrates such as molluscs and crabs. Emperors can be solitary or schooling and do not appear to be territorial. They often form large aggregations for pelagic spawning. They have large eyes that enable them to feed at night.

There are about 41 species of emperors that make up the Lethrinidae family worldwide. Malaysia is represented by all 5 genera and about 29 species.

This page shows all the genera in Lethrinidae family except those of Letrinus genus which have a distinct naked cheek.



Scientific Name: Gymnocranius frenatus  Bleeker, 1873
English Name: Yellowsnout Large-eye Bream
Malay Name | Nama Melayu Malaysia: Kapas-kapas Laut, Mempasir Mutiara
Thai Name | ชื่อสามัญภาษาไทย: ปลาอีคุด (Plā xī khud)
Main Identification Features: Presence of a prominent blue-edged, yellow band from front of eye to above upper lip, encompassing nostrils; cheek yellowish with 3 or 4 oblique, blue bands.
Size: Maximum total length about 35 cm; commonly to 30 cm.
Habitat and Ecology: Sand, mud and rubble, 20 to 80 m depth. Feeds mainly on small bottom-living gastropod molluscs.

Yellowsnout Large-eye Bream

Gymnocranius frenatus

Yellowsnout Large-eye Bream




Scientific Name: Gymnocranius grandoculis  (Valenciennes, 1830)
English Name: Blue-lined Large-eye Bream, Robinson's Seabream
Malay Name | Nama Melayu Malaysia: Kapas-kapas Laut, Bebara, Bara, Mempasir Garis Biru
Thai Name | ชื่อสามัญภาษาไทย: ปลาตะมะแก้ว (Plā ta ma kæ̂w)
Local Hokkien: Ping Pong
Main Identification Features: Distinct scales and strong spines on their fins. Wavy blue lines across snout and cheek.
Size: Maximum total length about 80 cm; commonly to 70 cm.
Habitat and Ecology: Sand, rubble and rocky bottoms, at 20 to 170 m depth, but usually at 50 to 100 m. Feeds mainly on bottom-living invertebrates and small fishes.