Lethrinus borbonicus Valenciennes 1830

The inner surface of the pectoral fin base is densely scaled; posterior angle of the operculum is fully scaled; cheeks without scales. Color of body is dark gray or yellow-brown, head is brown-gray. The centers of scales are lighter. Sometimes there is an irregular pattern of broken dusky bars becoming whitish on the lower part of the body. The pectoral and pelvic fins are white of pinkish. The dorsal and anal fins are mottled white or yellowish with reddish edge. The caudal fin has indistinct reddish bands.

Exhibits juvenile hermaphroditism (Ref. 107020).

Dorsal spines (total): 10; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9; Analspines: 3; Analsoft rays: 8

Solitary at night and swim over reef-flats and slopes in shallow waters of just 1 m depth (Ref. 2295).

Found in sandy areas near reefs during daytime, sometimes in small groups. At night, they are solitary and range over reef-flats and slopes where they feed primarily on echinoderms, mollusks and crustaceans (Ref. 2295). The taxonomy of this species has been considerably confused.

fisheries: minor commercial; price category: very high; price reliability: very questionable: based on ex-vessel price for species in this family