Names
Scientific name: Lethrinus lentjan
Internationally, it is referred to as Pink-eared Emperor. Other common names include Bridled Pigface Bream, Purple-eared Emperor, Red-eared Emperor, Redspot Emperor, and Redspot Sea Bream. In the UAE, it is known as Shekhaili (شخيلي).
Shape and color
The Pink-eared Emperor has a moderately deep body, that is olive-green in color shading to white towards the belly and a bright red line around the margin of its gill covers and at the base of the pectoral fin as well.
The pectoral fin may be pale orange, white, or yellow. The lips are thick and fleshy, with a bright red color inside the mouth.
Habitat
It is commonly found swimming around sandy bottoms close to coral reefs of deep lagoons and coastal reefs, and is usually found swimming in small schools.
Feeding
It is a carnivorous fish, feeding on many marine species including crustaceans, snails, clams, echinoderms, worms, small fish, and many others.
Fishing season
It is a common fish in the waters of the UAE and can be encountered throughout the year. It is, however, more commonly encountered during late winter and early summer, especially from January to May.
Fishing method
It can be caught using various fishing techniques including fishing rods and fish traps (locally known as Gargoor).
Fun facts
Minimum legal length: 28 centimeters.
Fishing status: Not banned.
<p style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; color: rgb(94, 94, 94); font-family: Lato, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit;"><u class="x-el x-el-span c2-3i c2-3j c2-3 c2-5a c2-3r c2-3o c2-5b c2-5e" style="box-sizing: inherit; font-family: Lato, arial, sans-serif; letter-spacing: inherit; text-transform: inherit; font-weight: inherit; color: inherit; font-size: inherit !important; line-height: inherit; text-decoration: underline;"><strong class="x-el x-el-span c2-3i c2-3j c2-3 c2-5a c2-3r c2-2b c2-5b" style="box-sizing: inherit; font-family: Lato, arial, sans-serif; font-weight: 700; letter-spacing: inherit; text-transform: inherit; color: inherit; font-size: inherit !important; line-height: inherit;">Names</strong></u></span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; color: rgb(94, 94, 94); font-family: Lato, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit;">Scientific name: Lethrinus lentjan</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; color: rgb(94, 94, 94); font-family: Lato, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit;">Internationally, it is referred to as Pink-eared Emperor. Other common names include Bridled Pigface Bream, Purple-eared Emperor, Red-eared Emperor, Redspot Emperor, and Redspot Sea Bream. In the UAE, it is known as Shekhaili (شخيلي).</span></p>
Shape and color
The Pink-eared Emperor has a moderately deep body, that is olive-green in color shading to white towards the belly and a bright red line around the margin of its gill covers and at the base of the pectoral fin as well.
The pectoral fin may be pale orange, white, or yellow. The lips are thick and fleshy, with a bright red color inside the mouth.
Habitat
It is commonly found swimming around sandy bottoms close to coral reefs of deep lagoons and coastal reefs, and is usually found swimming in small schools.
Feeding
It is a carnivorous fish, feeding on many marine species including crustaceans, snails, clams, echinoderms, worms, small fish, and many others.
Fishing season
It is a common fish in the waters of the UAE and can be encountered throughout the year. It is, however, more commonly encountered during late winter and early summer, especially from January to May.
Fishing method
It can be caught using various fishing techniques including fishing rods and fish traps (locally known as Gargoor).
Fun facts
Minimum legal length: 28 centimeters.
Fishing status: Not banned.