How Well do you Know your Emperors?
Although there are many different types of Emperors in our oceans, only a few species are available
in our local waters.
Spangled Emperor, Red Throat Emperor, Threadfin Emperor and Grassy Emperor
are the most common ones caught in the Moreton Bay area.
in our local waters.
Spangled Emperor, Red Throat Emperor, Threadfin Emperor and Grassy Emperor
are the most common ones caught in the Moreton Bay area.
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Spangled Emperor ( Lethrinus nebulosus) can be easily identified by a yellow to golden colour and pointed snout full of small powerful teeth designed for eating both small squid and bait fish as well as grinding up shellfish and crustaceans. They have stunning bright blue markings present throughout with blue lines radiating from the eyes over the snout. Spangled emperor are strong fighters and will prove to be a massive challenge on light tackle.
Size limit of 45cms and possession limit of 5. |
Spangled Emperor
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Richard with a 6.5kg Spangled Emperor
Threadfin Emperor ( Lethrinus genivittatus) are those annoying little bait snatching fish that resemble Grassy sweetlip. This is the only emperor where the second dorsal spine is longer than the first, often forming a fine filament or thread. The body is brown with irregular dark markings and a small almost square black spot just above the pectoral fin. Although regarded as a good table fish catches are rarely big enough to warrant bringing home.
Size limit of 25cms and Possession limit of 5. 
Threadfin Emperor
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Red Throat Emperor ( Lethrinus miniatus) are another beautifully coloured species, with bright red to orange dorsal fins, the base of the pectoral fin and around the eye. As the name suggests, the inside of the mouth is also bright red. Although Red throat emperor are commonly caught weighing up to two kilograms in tropical waters, most of our fish rarely reach over 0.5kilograms.
Size limit of 38cms and possession limit of 8. 
Red Throat Emperor
Amrat caught this Red Throat Emperor at Turkey Beach
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The Grassy Emperor is commonly known as a Grassy Sweetlip ( Lethrinus laticaudis) and can be identified by the brown or tan body with irregular blotches. The head is brown or yellowish with blue dots on cheeks and short blue stripes radiating in front and behind the eye.
Size Limit of 30cms and possession limit of 10.
Size Limit of 30cms and possession limit of 10.
Frank currently holds the Club record at 3.505kg
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Grassy Emperor
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There is only one more Emperor that has become quite common in our waters over recent years but with a size limit of 55cms, it is rare that Red Emperor are ever brought home. The reason that the Red Emperor is not included in our list of emperors is because this species is not actually an emperor. The scientific name ( Lutjanus sebae) actually belongs to the family of Sea Perch which includes Moses Snapper, Hussar and Mangrove Jack.
Ron Caught this Red Emperor Just north of Turkey Beach
