
Species GuideOrange-striped Emperor
Orange-striped Emperor
Lethrinus obsoletus
Lethrinidae family · Demersal
Least Concern
A medium-sized emperor fish with distinctive orange horizontal stripes along its flanks. Less well-known than the Spangled Emperor but a solid food fish caught regularly by anglers fishing reef edges and sandy patches across both UAE coasts.
Species Stats
Max Length
50 cm
Max Weight
2 kg
Depth Range
5–30 m
Diet
Invertebrates, small fish
Habitat
Coral reefs, sandy areas near reefs, seagrass beds
Local Name (Arabic)
شعري خطوط برتقالية
Fun Facts
- 1
Emperor fish (Lethrinidae) are known for their tough scales and robust dental plates.
- 2
Can be confused with other small emperor species — the orange stripes are the key identifying feature.
- 3
Often caught using bottom rigs baited with squid or shrimp around reef structure.
Research Papers
Found In
Abu DhabiDubaiSharjahFujairah
Quick Info
FamilyLethrinidae
HabitatDemersal
EdibilityGood
CoastBoth
Dangernone
Related Species (Lethrinidae)
Last reviewed June 2026Sources: MOCCAE, EAD, FAO species profiles