Open Year-Round
Redthroat Emperor
Lethrinus miniatus
Also known as: Sweetlip Emperor, Tricky Snapper, Trumpeter
DPIRD Category
Demersal
Peak Season
Year round
Difficulty
Moderate
Fight Rating
★★★☆☆
Regulations & Limits
DEMERSAL
⚖️ Mixed Species Limit Applies
Redthroat Emperor count towards your total demersal scalefish bag limit. You can keep a maximum of 2 demersal scalefish total statewide.
Limits by Bioregion
West Coast
OPEN
Min Size
280
Individual Limit
2 fish
Mixed Limit
Within 2 demersal total
✓ Open year-round.
South Coast
N/A
Species not commonly found in this region
Gascoyne
OPEN
Min Size
280
Individual Limit
3 fish
Mixed Limit
Within 5 demersal total
✓ Open year-round.
Pilbara
N/A
Species not commonly found in this region
North Coast (Kimberley)
OPEN
Min Size
280
Individual Limit
3 fish
Mixed Limit
Within 5 demersal total
✓ Open year-round.
Good to Know
- 280mm minimum size
- Part of emperor group within demersal limit
- West Coast demersal closure applies
- Feeds on crabs and sea urchins
- Lives up to 22 years
ℹ️ Regulations can change. Always verify current rules at rules.fish.wa.gov.au
Size & Weight
| Typical Size | 35-50 cm |
| Max Size | 90 cm |
| Typical Weight | 1-4 kg |
| Max Weight | 9.6 kg |
Habitat
Where: Coral reefs, rocky bottoms, near structure
Depth: 10-100m (usually 20-60m)
Season
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Peak
Available
Poor
Peak: Year round
How to Catch Redthroat Emperor
1
West Coast Demersal Closure Applies
Setup
- Line: 20-30lb braid
- Leader: 30-50lb fluoro
Best Baits
- Crabs (they love crustaceans)
- Sea urchins
- Squid
- Prawns
- Fish strips
2
Location Tips
Eating Quality
Flesh: White, firm, mild flavour
Best cooked: Pan-fried, steamed, baked
The Fight
Redthroat Emperor put up a reasonable fight with strong initial runs and head shakes. They'll try to reach structure when hooked. Keep steady pressure to prevent them getting into the reef.