Longface emperor (Lethrinus olivaceus) is a saltwater species recorded in Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia. It is mainly found over reef, at depths of 1–185 m. The main season in Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia runs summer, autumn.
Scientific name: Lethrinus olivaceus · Water: Saltwater · Season: Summer, Autumn
Size: up to 100 cm
The longface emperor is a lethrinid and the largest and longest-snouted member of its family. It lives over sandy coastal areas, lagoons and reef slopes, with juveniles in shallow sandy areas, while adults move deeper along coastal slopes and drop-offs and are usually solitary. It is very active and swims fast. It feeds mainly on fishes, crustaceans and cephalopods. Its range runs from the Red Sea and East Africa to Samoa and Polynesia, north to the Ryukyu Islands and south to Australia. In season in autumn, it lives from 1 to 185 m and reaches about 100 cm total length, commonly 70 cm, and up to about 14 kg. In Palau it spawns throughout the year, but concentrates this on the first few days of the lunar month along reef edges. It supports commercial fisheries and is a game fish, selling in the highest price band, with a trophic level of 4, moderate fishing vulnerability at 40 of 100, and low resilience.
Caution: large individuals carry a ciguatera risk. Heat, cold and marinating do not remove the toxin, which concentrates in the liver, roe and head, so avoid eating those parts. Seek medical help if numbness, tingling or a reversed sense of hot and cold follows a meal.
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