LETHRINIDAE Lethrinus ornatus, 20.2 cm SL (photo by Seishi Kimura) Lethrinus ornatus Valenciennes, 1830 Ornate Emperor D X, 9; A III, 8; P1 13; LLp 46-47. Body deep, 38.5-41.7% of SL. Dorsal profile of snout around eye convex. No scales on cheek; inner surface of pectoral fin base scaled; 6 longitudinal scale rows (including small scale beneath dorsal fin base) between lateral line and base of middle spine of dorsal fin. Color: body grayish dorsally, silvery ventrally, with 5-6 longitudinal yellow stripes; posterior margin of preopercle and opercle red. Size: 45.0 cm. Distribution: Indo-West Pacific. Remarks: found in coastal waters e.g., lagoons, seagrass beds, and areas adjacent to reef. Carnivorous, feeds on crustaceans, mollusks, polychaetes and fishes. Utilized as food fish, caught by traps, handlines, trawls, and seines. (Koichi Shibukawa)