Lancer

The only Lethrinus with its 2nd dorsal spine the longest. The inner surface of the pectoral fin may be scaleless, partially covered with scales or densely covered with scales. Body color is tan or brown on the upper sides, white on the lower sides, with three tan or brown stripes. The sides often have scattered irregular black oblique bars and a square black blotch above the pectoral fin and bordering below the lateral line. The head is brown or tan sometimes with several broad, somewhat indistinct vertical and oblique bands (these bands are sometimes composed of fine reticulations). The fins are pale, speckled with small white blotches.

A monandric species (Ref. 55367). Length at sex change = 18.0 cm TL (Ref. 55367). Also Ref. 103751.

Dorsal spines (total): 10; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9; Analspines: 3; Analsoft rays: 8

Reportedly penetrates rivers in some areas (Ref. 2295). Occurs over shallow sandy and seagrass beds, in mangrove swamps, lagoons, channels and outer reef slopes. Feeds on crustaceans and small fishes.

Solitary or in groups (Ref. 90102). Occurs over shallow sandy and seagrass beds, in mangrove swamps, lagoons, channels and outer reef slopes. May enter rivers. Feeds on crustaceans and small fishes. A protogynous hermaphrodite (Ref. 55367). A protracted spawning peak from July to December is recorded in New Caledonia. Smaller and more numerous females than males have been confirmed in Australian populations. Marketed fresh (Ref. 9775).

fisheries: minor commercial; price category: very high; price reliability: very questionable: based on ex-vessel price for species in this family

分布於印度-西太平洋區，西起印尼，東至菲律賓、帛琉及加羅林群島，北至日本南部，南至澳洲北部。台灣主要分布於南部及北部海域。

一般利用陷阱法或底拖網捕獲，全年都可以捕獲。肉質尚可，用糖醋、碳烤或者是煮味噌湯，都是料理的好方法。

體延長而呈長橢圓形。吻中短而略鈍，吻上緣與上頜間的角度為60°-74°。眼間隔凸起。眼大，位於近於頭背側。口端位；兩頜具犬齒及絨毛狀齒，後方側齒呈犬齒狀，下頜前端具一對彎曲的大犬齒；上頜骨上緣平滑或稍呈鋸齒狀。頰部無鱗；胸鰭基部內側不具鱗；側線鱗數45-47；側線上鱗列數4.5；側線下鱗列數15-16。背鰭單一，不具深刻，具硬棘X，軟條9，第II棘延長；臀鰭硬棘III，軟條8，第1或2軟條通常最長，但短於、等於或略長於軟條部之基底長；胸鰭軟條13；尾鰭分叉，兩葉先端尖型。體呈茶褐或褐色，腹面銀白，體側通常散在不規則之斜帶。各鰭灰色，背、腹及臀鰭散在白點。

主要棲息於沿岸珊瑚礁、岩礁區外緣、沼澤區、紅樹林區或海藻床的砂泥地，甚至發現於淡水域，主要分布的深度在5-25公尺。群居性，主要以軟體動物、甲殼類及小魚為食。

Occurs over shallow sandy and seagrass beds, also found in mangrove swamps, lagoons, channels and outer reef slopes. Known to enter rivers in some areas. Feeds on crustaceans and small fish. A protracted spawning peak from July to December is recorded in New Caledonia. Smaller and more numerous females than males have been confirmed in Australian populations. Is of minor importance due to its small size (Ref. 2295).