---
title: Emperors (Lethrinidae)
scientific_name: Lethrinidae
common_name: Emperors
rank: Family
published: 2024-11-19T18:41:51.573Z
updated: 2026-08-03T20:55:50.601Z
tags: Emperors, Lethrinidae, Red Sea, Marine Life, Diving
url: https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/emperors
---

# Emperors (*Lethrinidae*)

## Quick facts

- **Rank:** Family
- **Scientific name:** Lethrinidae
- **Body shape:** Oval - Egg-shaped body, deeper than it is thick - damselfishes, surgeonfishes.
- **Species listed here:** 12

## How to recognise this group

- deep, compressed, oval body
- single continuous dorsal fin
- distinctly forked caudal fin
- body colouration usually grey, brown, or silver
- solitary or small groups foraging over sand flats

Emperors (Lethrinidae) are deep-bodied, compressed marine fishes with a fusiform to oval shape, possessing a continuous dorsal fin and a forked caudal fin. Most species are drab grey, brown, or silver, often marked with spots, lines, or blotches, though some display reddish tints on their fins. Sizes range from 20 cm (7.9 in) to over 100 cm (39 in) in length, with many Red Sea species commonly reaching 50-80 cm (20-31 in). The family name Lethrinidae derives from the Greek "lethros," referring to a habit of burying in sand.

These fishes inhabit diverse benthic environments, including shallow reef flats, seagrass beds, and deeper sandy or rubble bottoms, down to 100 m (330 ft). They are primarily carnivorous, preying on crustaceans, molluscs, echinoderms, worms, and small fishes, utilising strong jaws and conical or molariform teeth for crushing. Emperors are typically encountered solitarily or in small groups, often seen foraging over sandy areas adjacent to reefs.


## Species (12)

- [Bigeye Emperor (Monotaxis grandoculis)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/emperors/bigeye-emperor)
- [Blackspot Emperor (Lethrinus harak)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/emperors/blackspot-emperor)
- [Bluelined Emperor (Gymnocranius grandoculis)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/emperors/bluelined-emperor)
- [Longface Emperor (Lethrinus olivaceus)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/emperors/longface-emperor)
- [Orange-Striped Emperor (Lethrinus obsoletus)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/emperors/orange-striped-emperor)
- [Redspot Emperor (Lethrinus lentjan)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/emperors/redspot-emperor)
- [Sky Emperor (Lethrinus mahsena)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/emperors/sky-emperor)
- [Slender Emperor (Lethrinus variegatus)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/emperors/slender-emperor)
- [Smalltooth Emperor (Lethrinus microdon)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/emperors/smalltooth-emperor)
- [Snubnose Emperor (Lethrinus borbonicus)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/emperors/snubnose-emperor)
- [Spangled Emperor (Lethrinus nebulosus)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/emperors/spangled-emperor)
- [Yellowlip Emperor (Lethrinus xanthochilus)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/emperors/yellowlip-emperor)

---

*Source: [Red Sea Creatures](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/emperors)*
*Updated: August 3, 2026*