Family: Breams, Emperors

The black nape sea bream is an occasional and fascinating host of reefs. As it cohabits with the frequent Mu to which it strongly resembles, it is difficult to realize that this is a different species.

Like the mu, it is generally found at the sandstone boundary, on the flat zone after the slope, or in shallow areas between the corals.

It differs from the Mu from the absence of vertical stripes. However, when the latter displays its silvery coloring, it is not easy to distinguish them.

One of its characteristics is to change very quickly color, with the appearance of a large black blotch on the side, like for some varieties of emperors.

Once captured, the identification is easier: The fins of G. Superciliosus are bright red, and its dentition much closer to that of the European pandora bream than that of the gilthead, or the Mu. It also has a black bow above the eye and a black/brown bar under the eye that fades after death.

However, this is not enough to differentiate it from another sea bream, G. Microdon, which is very similar to it. One must then look at the caudal, yellowish, and rounded tips for G. Microdon, while they are pointed for G. Superciliosus.

As distant as the Mu, but quite slow in its evolutions, it requires a distant and precise shot.

Although it hardly exceeds 2-3 pounds in weight, it is a tasty fish. A valid catch.

The blue-lined large eye bream is related to the black-nape sea bream, and the mu, Monotaxis grandoculis, which it resembles. Once captured, identification is easier: The gill cover of G. grandoculis is covered with blue lines, hence its name.

It is not frequently encountered in spearfishing because it likes sandy areas.

Distant like the Mu, but rather slow in its evolutions, it requires a distant and precise shot. It responds positively to stalking.

Although it hardly exceeds 2-3 pounds in weight, it is a tasty fish. A valid catch.

The Mu (name of the fish in Hawaiian) is a frequent and fascinating host of the reef. Its teeth strongly recall that of the gilthead sea bream and indicate a diet based on shellfish and crustaceans. It is recognized by its abrupt forehead and big eye. It has a cousin of smaller size, heterodon monotaxis, displaying a red hue and yellow tail structure.

One observes the Mu generally at the sand-rock limit, or in shallow areas, amidst the coral structure. Wary, it slips imperceptibly towards the bottom. Mu is often in mixed-size groups, sometimes several dozen individuals.

One of its characteristics is to be able to change color and pattern very quickly (appearance of vertical bars or a black blotch on the flank) and to stay perfectly still in mid-water.

Mu is mainly hunted through static or mobile agachon, a direct approach being generally deemed to fail. Mu is naturally very suspicious of humans and maintains a large safety distance, typically 4m or more from the tip of the shaft, which is a challenge given its small size. Fortunately it is a target that moves slowly which allows to aim well.

The flesh of the Mu is to my opinion too hard to be eaten raw but is tasty when cooked. Because of its wariness, its sea bream looks, and its proximity to the reef, European spearos are attracted to it. A good catch for good spearos though.

The long faced emperor is an occasional host of reefs and sandy areas, usually isolated, and one of the largest representatives of the emperor family, together with L. nebulosus and L. erythracanthus.

It is also similar to Lethrinus microdon with which it can be confused (I cannot really tell the difference). It presents like many species of emperors several types of liveries, a monochrome, gray blue green or brown one, and a livery with a disruptive camouflage, usually brown. The emperor can shift from one livery to the other in a few seconds, like a cuttlefish. The long snout and mouth are characteristic, very elongated with red lips.

The long faced emperor is present all year, at any time.

It is caught mainly through agachon or direct approach, depending on whether it was spotted from the surface or during the descent, or after stalking at the bottom. As this fish is very wary, do not hesitate to extend your apnea, it may end up coming. Avoid being dragged by pursuing it to the depths, in the current zones. It can also be hunted in the shallow, especially in very murky waters.

Because it stays distant and its scales are a little bit thick, a long range speargun is needed.

The long faced emperor has a reputed flesh and is logically a very coveted prey, which has made it less frequent and more skittish. The largest specimens can generally be approached 15 minutes before sunset and a little bit after. Because of its looks reminiscent of european sea breams, European hunters are fond of it. Best to avoid freezing. A top catch in Indonesia from 2/3kg and above.

The spangled emperor is an occasional host of reefs and sandy areas, usually isolated or in small groups, and one of the largest representatives of the emperor family, together with Lethrinus olivaceus and Lethrinus erythracanthus.

It is recognizable by its elevated body, the blue dots along the lateral line and the designs on the operculum. It is a very beautiful fish.

It is typically hunted by stalking it at the rock-sand limit, or by crawling on the sea floor and instinctive shooting, near the cave where it hides. It does not move very fast which generally allows to aim properly.

The spangled emperor is delicious and is logically a very coveted prey, which has made it quite rare. By its behavior reminiscent of the European breams, European hunters are fond of it. And rightly so.

The yellow-lipped emperor is a very occasional host of reefs and sandy areas, usually isolated or in small groups.

It is recognizable by its moderately elongated snout, shorter than for L. olivaceus, longer than for L. nebulosus, and its yellow upper lip. It also displays a bright coloured mark at the base of the pectoral fin, usually red.

Like L. olivaceus, it can change color and pattern quickly, typically from a uniform color to a mottled pattern.

I saw it only in the Moluccas on coral reefs, solitary fish and exceptionally, a small group of 5 to 6 individuals (in the picture three are visible). At some seasons it can be pretty frequent, especially if you start looking for it and an distinguish it from the longnose emperor.

A rare but tasty catch, as it feeds mainly on crabs and shrimps. According to Sean, the tastiest of all emperors.

The orange spotted emperor is an occasional host of reefs and sandy areas, usually isolated, and one of the largest representatives of the emperor family, with Lethrinus olivaceus and Lethrinus nebulosus.

It is easily recognizable by his stocky shape, its big dark head with the eye positioned pretty high, and most of all its orange fins, distinguishing it clearly from the giant sweetlip which it resembles. It is a very beautiful fish.

Personally I have seen it a handful of times in Indonesia, In Komodo National park and in Maluku, where I cught a nice 6kg specimen. One of he photographs comes from Romain Mosconi who captured a beautiful fish in the Comores archipelago in 2015.

The orange spotted emperor is like its congeners deemed delicious and is logically a coveted prey. A delicious catch.