Ambon Emperor

Description: Body is moderately elongate, its depth 3.1 to 3.4 times the SL. Color of body is yellowish with scattered indistinct dark blotches. The head is brown with light streaks; lips are reddish. The pectoral fin axil is orangish; the basal portion of the center rays is white, the outer edges is yellow. The pelvic and anal fins are white or yellowish. The dorsal and caudal fins are mottled brown or yellow with and orange or reddish edge (Ref. 2295). Distinct convex anterior snout profile but lacks distinctive markings (Ref. 37816). Moderately long snout, 1.7-1.9 in HL. Supratemporal patch 9-11 scales. (Ref. 90102)

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

Occurs inshore (Ref. 75154).

Inhabits lagoons and deeper waters of coral reefs and adjacent sandy bottoms. Solitary in sand or rubble bottoms (Ref. 90102). Feeds mainly on fishes but also on mollusks, crustaceans, and sea urchins (Ref. 1602, 37816). Marketed fresh (Ref. 171).

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