Emperor

Lethrinidae breams have a continuous dorsal fin which is supported by 10 spines and 9 or 10 soft rays and an anal fin that is supported by 3 spines and between 9 and 10 soft rays. They have an emarginate or forked caudal fin. The terminal mouth varies in size from small to medium-sized and has thick, fleshy lips and a potrusible upper jaw. There is a row of canine-like teeth on the outer side of the front both jaws with molar-like or conical teeth on the sides and an inner row of bristle like teeth at the front too, there are no teeth on the roof of the mouth. The largest species in the family is Lethrinus olivaceus with a maximum published total length of 100 centimetres (40 inches) while the smallest are Lethrinus mitchelli and Lethrinus variegatus both with a maximum published total length of 20 centimetres (8 inches).

Lethrinidae fishes are found mainly in the tropical Indian and Western Pacific Oceans, with a single species, Lethrinus atlanticus, being found in the Eastern Atlantic Ocean. They are coastal fishes and are associated with reefs but prefer substrates of sand and rubble.

Lethrinidae species are an important component of some commercial, artisanal and recreational fisheries and their importance in any fishery varies geographically and over time. The valuable species to fisheries are the larger and commoner species while the smaller and uncommon species are not valued. They are most commonly caught in Mauritius, the Arabian Peninsula and Fiji.