Description:

Dorsal spines: 10; Dorsal rays: 10; Anal spines: 3; Anal rays: 10.

Deep-bodied lethrinid. Head profile slightly convex. Eye large, but moderate in size relative to snout length. Close-set nasal openings, the posterior one slit-like, ending close to eye. Jaw teeth in a narrow, villiform band bordered by outer series of conical teeth. 4 moderate-sized canines anteriorly in upper jaw and 6 in lower jaw. Dorsal spines broad and strong. Fourth to sixth spines longest. 5 scale rows between lateral line and base of middle dorsal fin spines. Inner surface of pectoral fin axil scaleless. Caudal fin slightly forked with broadly rounded lobes.

Colour. Silvery-grey with yellowish suffusion. Scale margins narrowly brownish. Indistinct dark blotches or bars sometimes apparent on body. Lips whitish to yellow. Fins yellow, faint brown spotting may be present on soft dorsal, anal, and caudal fins.A narrow blackish bar across base of pectoral fin.
 

Maturity: Lm 31.0, range unknown. Maximum total length about 55 cm (specimen photo'd here measured 55.5 cm TL); commonly to 35 cm.
 

Inhabits the outer edge of the continental shelf (depth 100-290 m) and is characteristic of the deeper continental slope habitat. Feeds on benthic invertebrates and small fishes.  

This species is not protected or subject to fishery regulations.

The specimen shown here was caught May 2nd 2024 on the bordage of the Southwest Mahe Plateau at a depth of approximately 100m. It measured 55.5 cm TL and weighed 4.2 kg. It has been submitted for the IGFA all tackle world record.

Bray, D.J. (2022). Wattsia mossambica in Fishes of Australia. https://fishesofaustralia.net.au/home/species/538 (03/05/24). 
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
Carpenter, K.E. et al. (2016). Wattsia mossambica. The IUCN Red List 2016: https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T16721842A16722465.en. (03/05/24).
Froese, R. & D. Pauly. (Eds.) (2024). FishBase. Wattsia mossambica. https://fishbase.mnhn.fr/summary/1870 (03/05/24). 

Nevill, J.E.G. & Heyer, G. (2024). Wattsia mossambica, Mozambique large-eye bream. Seychelles Seatizens. www.seatizens.sc. https://seatizens.sc/species/wattsia-mossambica-smith-1957/