Slender Emperor

Lethrinus variegatus, commonly known as the slender emperor or variegated emperor, is a species of marine ray-finned fish classified under the family Lethrinidae. It is widely distributed across the Indo-Pacific region. The species name variegatus refers to its distinctive variegated pattern, characterized by black spots across its flanks, although this was not explicitly detailed by the describer, Valenciennes.

This fish is equipped with a dorsal fin supported by 10 spines and 9 soft rays, and an anal fin with 2 spines and 8 soft rays. Its body depth is approximately one-quarter of its standard length, measuring up to a maximum of 20 cm (7.9 in). The interorbital area may be flat or slightly convex, and scales are absent from the inner surface of the pectoral fins' axilla. Its coloration features a brown and grey hue, lighter on the lower body, with irregular dark spots. Notably, there are often two dark bars beneath the eye and a dark band across the interorbital space. The fins, excluding the caudal fin with its light and dark stripes, are generally pale or translucent. The species has a depth range of 1 to 150 meters and can live up to 15 years.

Lethrinus variegatus is found in the 🇮🇳 Indian and Western 🌊 Pacific Oceans, inhabiting regions from the Gulf of Suez to Sodwana Bay, and extending to locations such as the Comoro Islands, 🇸🇨 Seychelles, 🇲🇬 Madagascar, the Chagos (🇮🇴 British Indian Ocean Territory) Islands, southern 🇮🇳 India, and 🇱🇰 Sri Lanka. Its range further includes territories throughout the Malay Archipelago, reaching the Ryukyu Islands (🇯🇵 Japan), 🇦🇺 Australia, 🇳🇨 New Caledonia (🇫🇷 Overseas France), and as far east as 🇹🇴 Tonga. This fish predominantly occupies sandy and weedy areas near coral reefs, either solitarily or in small groups, where it effectively uses camouflage. Juveniles are often plentiful in shallow, weedy zones.

The slender emperor feeds on small benthic invertebrates and displays protogynous hermaphroditism. The flesh of larger individuals is highly regarded.