Yellowtail emperor (Lethrinus crocineus)

Scientific name: Lethrinus crocineus Smith, 1959

The Yellowtail emperor (Lethrinus crocineus) is a marine fish of the family Lethrinidae.

Biology

Dorsal spines: 10; Dorsal soft rays: 9; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 8. Inner surface of the pectoral fin is densely scaled. The posterior angle of the operculum is fully scaled or sometimes with a wide scaleless area. Color of the body is tan or yellowish; the head is brown. The base of scales are sometimes black. Fins are pale or yellowish; the edge of the dorsal fin is reddish or yellowish.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Lethrinus crocineus
Family: Lethrinidae (Emperors or scavengers)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 60.0
Depth range: 150 m (492 ft)
Environment: Marine; reef-associated; non-migratory; depth range ? - 150 m
Climate: Tropical
Distribution: Western Indian Ocean: Natal, South Africa to the Seychelles and Sri Lanka, possibly more widespread. Has previously been synonymized with Lethrinus mahsena which is now regarded as a separate species.
Conservation status (IUCN): Not Evaluated
Threat to humans: Harmless
Uses: Fisheries: commercial; gamefish: yes
Resilience: Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Last updated 27 September 2026