Description:

Dorsal spines: 10 (4th or 5th spine the longest); Dorsal rays: 9; Anal spines: 3; Anal rays: 8.

Body moderately deep. Snout moderately short and blunt, its dorsal profile nearly straight. Dorsal profile near eye nearly straight or slightly convex. Interorbital space 
convex. Posterior nostril an oblong longitudinal opening. Eye situated close to dorsal profile. Cheek moderately high and without scales. Posterior angle of the operculum is 
fully scaled. Lateral teeth in jaws with strong molars. Outer surface of maxilla with a distinct longitudinal ridge. Inner surface of pectoral fin covered with scales. 5 1/2 
scale rows between lateral line and base of middle dorsal fin spines.

Colour. Body dark grey or yellow-brown. Head is brown-gray. The centres of scales lighter. Sometimes an irregular pattern of broken dusky bars on the flanks. Lower body 
whitish. Pectoral and pelvic fins white or pinkish. Dorsal and anal fins mottled white or yellowish with reddish edge. Caudal fin with indistinct reddish bands. 

Size:

Maturity: Lm 21.3 cm TL, range unknown. Max length : 40.0 cm TL; common length : 25.0 cm TL.

Habitat and Ecology:

Inhabits sandy areas near reefs (depth 1-40 m) during daytime, sometimes in small groups. At night they are solitary and range over reef-flats and slopes, in depths as 
shallow as 1 m, where they feed primarily on echinoderms, mollusks and crustaceans. It is a short-lived, fast growing species with a high natural mortality rate. 

Fishery Status:

This species is not protected or subject to fishery regulations. It appears to be a rare component of the catch but this is hard to quantify beacuse of its basic similalrity 
to other more common species.

Notes:

 

 

References:

Al Abdali, F.S.H. et al. (2019). Lethrinus borbonicus. The IUCN Red List 2019: https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-2.RLTS.T16719904A16722380.en. (13/11/21).
Carpenter, K.E. & Allen, G.R. (1989). FAO Species Catalogue. Vol. 9 Emperor Fishes and Large-eye Breams of the World (Family Lethrinidae). An annotated and 
Illustrated Catalogue of Lethrinid Species Known to Date. UNFAO Rome. ISBN 92-5-102889-3
Froese, R. & D. Pauly. (Eds.) (2021). FishBase. Lethrinus borbonicus (Valencienne 1830), Snubnose emperor. https://www.fishbase.se/summary/1844 (13/11/21). 

Citation:

Nevill, J.E.G. (2022). Lethrinus borbonicus, Snubnose emperor. Seychelles Seatizens. www.seatizens.sc. https://seatizens.sc/species/lethrinus-borbonicus-valenciennes-1830/