Emperors (Pigface Bream)
Overview
Emperors, also known as scavengers, belong to the Lethrinidae family and are found primarily in the tropical waters of the Indo-Pacific and Indian Oceans. These fish are highly esteemed for their quality as food fish.As bottom-feeding carnivores, emperors primarily prey on invertebrates and small fish. Some species possess molariform teeth that help them consume hard-shelled invertebrates such as mollusks and crabs. Emperors can be solitary or form schools, but they are generally non-territorial. They often aggregate in large numbers for pelagic spawning and have large eyes that enable them to feed effectively at night.
The Lethrinidae family encompasses 5 genera and at least 41 species worldwide.
This page specifically highlights the Letrinus genus, commonly known as Pigface Bream. Letrinus species are identified by their scale-less cheeks, distinguishing them from other Lethrinidae members. Other genera in Lethrinidae family are shown as Large-eye Bream.
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, 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.
