Emperors (Pigface Bream)
Overview
Emperors, also known as emperor breams, pigface breams and scavengers, are marine fishes belonging to the family Lethrinidae. They are recognized by their relatively large eyes, protrusible upper jaw, fleshy lips, strong canine teeth and a single continuous dorsal fin. They occur mainly in tropical waters of the Indo-Pacific and Indian oceans and are highly regarded as food fish.Most emperors are bottom-feeding predators that feed on crustaceans, molluscs and fishes. Some species have molar-like teeth for crushing hard-shelled prey such as crabs and molluscs. Their large eyes help them forage effectively at night. They may occur singly or in schools and often gather in large numbers to spawn.
The family Lethrinidae contains 5 genera and at least 41 species worldwide. In Malaysia, all 5 genera are represented, with approximately 29 species.
This page focuses on species of the genus Lethrinus, commonly known as Pigface Bream. Lethrinus species are distinguished from other members of the family by their scaleless cheeks. Species from the remaining genera are covered on the Large-eye Bream page.
Common Pigface Bream Species List
English Name: Thumbprint Emperor, Blackspot Emperor
Chinese Name | 鱼类中文名: 龙占 (Lóng zhàn), 单斑龙占 (Dān bān lóng zhàn)
Malay Name | Nama Melayu Malaysia: Ikan Pelandok, Landuk, Mempinang, Ketambak, Asuh, Landok Tanda
Thai Name | ชื่อสามัญภาษาไทย: ปลาหมูสีสแตมป์ (Plā h̄mū s̄ī s̄tæmp)
Local Hokkien: Leng Jiam
Main Identification Features: A large elliptical blotch, often broadly edged in yellow, on side directly below lateral line and centered at a vertical near the posterior tip of the pectoral fin.
Size: Maximum total length about 50 cm, commonly to around 30 cm.
Habitat and Ecology: Soft and hard bottoms near reefs, to 20 m depth. Occurs solitary and in small groups. Feeds on polychaetes, crustaceans, molluscs, echinoderms, and small fishes.
English Name: Pink Ear Emperor, Bridled Pigface Bream
French Name: Empereur Lentilles
Chinese Name | 鱼类中文名: 龙占 (Lóng zhàn), 乌帽龙占 (Wū mào lóng zhàn), 紅鰽痣 (Hóng qiú zhì)
Malay Name | Nama Melayu Malaysia: Ikan Pelandok, Landuk, Mempinang, Ketambak, Asuh, Senoncing, Landok Calit Merah
Thai Name | ชื่อสามัญภาษาไทย: ปลาหมูสีแก้มแดง (Plā h̄mūs̄ī kæ̂mdæng)
Local Hokkien: Leng Jiam
Main Identification Features: Red blotches on edge of operculum and base of pectoral fin base.
Size: Maximum total length about 50 cm, commonly to around 30 cm.
Habitat and Ecology: Sand and coral reefs, 10 to 50 m depth. Adult usually solitary while juveniles occurs in small groups. Feeds on crustaceans, molluscs, polychaetes, echinoderms, and small fishes.
English Name: Spangled Emperor
Chinese Name | 鱼类中文名: 龙占 (Lóng zhàn), 青嘴龙占 (Qīng zuǐ lóng zhàn)
Malay Name | Nama Melayu Malaysia: Ikan Pelandok, Landuk, Mempinang, Ketambak, Asuh, Senoncing, Anupin (Sabah), Landok Sisik Bintik
Thai Name | ชื่อสามัญภาษาไทย: ปลาหมูสีลายฟ้า (Plā h̄mūs̄ī lāy f̂ā)
Main Identification Features: Many scales centers with a white or light blue spot. Blue lines radiating from eye over snout and cheek. A thin blue line on upper edge of pectoral fin.
Size: Maximum total length about 80 cm, commonly between 20 and 50 cm.
Habitat and Ecology: Shallow coastal habitats and coral reefs, to 75 m depth. Adults solitary or in small groups while juveniles form large schools. Feeds on echinoderms, molluscs, crustaceans, polychaetes, and small fishes.
English Name: Longface Emperor, Longnose Emperor
Chinese Name | 鱼类中文名: 龙占 (Lóng zhàn), 尖吻龙占 (Jiān wěn lóng zhàn)
Malay Name | Nama Melayu Malaysia: Ikan Pelandok, Landuk, Mempinang, Ketambak, Asuh, Senoncing, Landok Ketambak
Thai Name | ชื่อสามัญภาษาไทย: ปลาหมูสีหน้ายาว (Plā h̄mūs̄ī h̄n̂ā yāw)
Main Identification Features: Very long and pointed snout. Body colour is gray, often with scattered irregular dark blotches. Base of pectoral fins not red. Snout with wavy dark streaks.
Size: Maximum total length about 100 cm; commonly 70 cm.
Habitat and Ecology: Sand and coral reefs, to 185 m depth. Often occurs in large schools. Feeds mostly on small fishes, crustaceans, and cephalopods.
English Name: Ornate Emperor
French Name: Empereur Orn
Chinese Name | 鱼类中文名: 龙占 (Lóng zhàn), 黄带龙占 (Huáng dài lóng zhàn)
Malay Name | Nama Melayu Malaysia: Ikan Pelandok, Landuk, Mempinang, Ketambak, Asuh, Senoncing, Landok Jalur Jingga
Thai Name | ชื่อสามัญภาษาไทย: ปลาหมูสีลาย (Plā h̄mūs̄ī lāy), ปลาหมูสีข้างเหลือง (Plā h̄mūs̄ī k̄ĥāng h̄elụ̄xng)
Main Identification Features: Posterior edge of opercle and preopercle are bright red in colour. Large yellow-orange stripes (5-6) along body.
Size: Maximum total length 40 cm.
Habitat and Ecology: Shallow coastal habitats and coral reefs, 5 to 30 m depth. Usually occur in small groups. Feeds on crustaceans, molluscs, echinoderms, polychaetes, and small fishes.
English Name: Slender Emperor, Variegated Emperor
French Name: Empereur Bas Cou
Chinese Name | 鱼类中文名: 龙占 (Lóng zhàn), 杂色龙占 (Zá sè lóng zhàn), 杂色裸颊鲷 (Zá sè luǒ jiá diāo)
Malay Name | Nama Melayu Malaysia: Ikan Pelandok, Landuk, Mempinang, Ketambak, Asuh, Senoncing, Landok Lampai
Thai Name | ชื่อสามัญภาษาไทย: ปลาหมูสี (Plā h̄mūs̄ī)
Size: Maximum total length about 20 cm.
Habitat and Ecology: Sandy areas near reefs, to 15 m depth. Occur solitary or in small groups. Feeds on small benthic invertebrates.
