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Emperors (Pigface 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 only the Letrinus genus which is also called Pigface Bream. Species in Letrinus have a scale-less check which distinguishes them from other Lethrinidae. Other genera in Lethrinidae family are shown as Large-eye Bream.



Scientific Name: Lethrinus harak  (Forsskål, 1775)
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.








Scientific Name: Lethrinus lentjan  (Lacepède, 1802)
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.

Pink Ear Emperor or Lethrinus lentjan

Bridled Pigface Bream or Lethrinus lentjan




Scientific Name: Lethrinus nebulosus  (Forsskål, 1775)
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, 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.

Spangled Emperor or Lethrinus nebulosus




Scientific Name: Lethrinus olivaceus  Valenciennes, 1830
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.








Scientific Name: Lethrinus ornatus  Valenciennes, 1830
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.

Ornate Emperor

Lethrinus ornatus




Scientific Name: Lethrinus variegatus  Valenciennes, 1830
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.

Slender Emperor or Lethrinus variegatus

Variegated Emperor