Gymnocranius griseus (Temminck & Schlegel, 1843)
Grey large-eye bream
Gymnocranius griseus
photo by Allen, G.R.

Family:  Lethrinidae (Emperors or scavengers), subfamily: Monotaxinae
Max. size:  35 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 15 - 80 m, non-migratory
Distribution:  Indo-West Pacific: southern Japan to the Indo-Malaysian region, probably eastward to India. Has often been confused w/ the young of Gymnocranius grandoculis, hence its distributional limits are somewhat obscure. Records of Gymnocranius griseus from the Western Indian Ocean probably pertain to Gymnocranius grandoculis.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 10-10; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-10; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 9-10. Description: Eye diameter is relatively large, its diameter about equal to or slightly larger than preorbital and interorbital width. Overall color is silvery, frequently with a diffuse vivid pattern of 5 to 8 narrow dark bars on the side, including one through the eye and across the cheek. Fins are mainly clear to yellowish; sometimes there is diffuse mottling or spotting on dorsal, caudal and anal fins. Often there is a narrow brown bar across the base of the pectoral fins. Some adults possess a few scattered blue spots or scribbling on the snout and cheek (Ref. 2295). Relatively ovoid body and pointed caudal lobes are distinct (Ref. 37816). Body depth 1.9-2.3 in SL (Ref. 90102).
Biology:  In sheltered coastal bays and sand and mud slopes in depths over 20 m (Ref. 48635); also in coastal trawling grounds. Juveniles sometimes in shallow estuaries on algae reefs (Ref. 48635). Sometimes forms schools. Feeds on bottom-living invertebrates. Sexually mature upon reaching 15-17 cm SL. Sometimes caught with handlines and marketed dried (Ref. 9775) or fresh. In Hong Kong live fish markets (Ref. 27253).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 09 March 2015 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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