Maori Sea Perch

Lutjanus rivulatus has a very deep body in which the standard length is only just over twice the depth of the body at its deepest. It has a steeply sloped forehead and the knob and incision in the preopercle are moderately developed. The vomerine teeth are arranged in a crescent-shaped patch with no rearwards extension and the smooth tongue lacks teeth. It has thickened lips. The dorsal fin contains 10 spines and 15-16 soft rays and the anal fin has 3 spines and 8 soft rays, the dorsal fin has a rounded rear profile while that of the anal fin is sharply pointed. The pectoral fins contain 17 rays and the caudal fin is either truncate or weakly emarginate. This species attains a maximum total length of 80 cm (31 in), although 60 cm (24 in) is more typical, and the maximum published weight is 11 kg (24 lb).

Lutjanus rivulatus has a wide Indo-Pacific range. It occurs from the eastern African coast between the southern Red Sea and South Africa eastwards into the Pacific Ocean as far as Tahiti and the Austral Islands, north to Japan and south to Australia. In Australian waters this species is found from Port Hedland and the offshore reefs in Western Australia, the Ashmore Reef in the Timor Sea and eastwards and southwards to northern New South Wales, it is also found in the Coral Sea and at Christmas Island. It is found at depths between 1.5 and 100 m (4 ft 11 in and 328 ft 1 in) and is associated with reefs, the adults being found on deep, coastal slopes and the juveniles on flats with algal growths, frequently close to freshwater discharges.

Lutjanus rivulatus is considered to be an excellent fish for eating, although the consumption of its flesh has been linked to cases of ciguatera. It is an important species for artisanal fisheries throughout its range and is caught using handlines, traps and gillnets, it is infrequently trawled. It is also found in the Hong Kong live fish trade and is grown b in aquaculture in southeastern Asia.