Red emperor

A tall, deep-bodied snapper, red to pink-white. Young and medium fish have three wide dark-red bands (like a flag) through the eye, from the dorsal fin to the belly, and across the tail; the bands fade in big adults, which turn all red-pink.

8–20 lb.

Nearly 4 ft and about 70 lb (32.7 kg).

Fish, crabs, prawns and squid.

Lives over deep reef, rubble and sponge gardens between reefs; can live 40 years. Young fish shelter among sea urchin spines in shallow water.

Found from Queensland & the Great Barrier Reef, Northern Territory & Western Australia, Indonesia (Bali, Komodo, Raja Ampat, Sulawesi), Philippines, South Pacific Islands & Papua New Guinea, Southeast Asia (Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam) and East Africa & Indian Ocean Islands. Deep reef edges, shoals, rubble and wrecks from Western Australia across northern Australia and the Great Barrier Reef to Southeast Asia and East Africa.

Deep reef edges, shoals, rubble and wrecks from Western Australia across northern Australia and the Great Barrier Reef to Southeast Asia and East Africa.

15–600 ft; mostly 100–300 ft.

100–300 ft.

All year; winter (June to August) and around the new moon are favorites. Queensland's October–November reef fish spawning closures apply.

Dusk and night are best.

Moving water: the hours around the tide change, when current pushes over the reef edges and bait gets swept along.

Stable weather with clean water; a few days of steady conditions beat a front coming through.

Whole squid, pilchards, fresh fish fillets and live fusiliers.

Slow-pitch jigs, soft plastics on heavy jig heads and octopus skirts.

Medium-heavy overhead or jigging rod (15–24 kg).

6/0–9/0 circle hooks on paternoster rigs.

50–80 lb braid.

60–100 lb monofilament.

Find the fish on the sounder over rubble patches near deep reefs, anchor or drift and drop big baits to the bottom; wind hard to lift them off the reef.

Red emperor often come up in pairs or threes — when one bites, drop straight back down.

Catch and release: wet your hands, keep the fish in the water when you can, and release it quickly. Use circle hooks and a dehooker.

Excellent eating — one of the best-tasting fish in its range.

Bleed and ice it right away. Fillet, then remove the skin and any dark bloodline.

One of Australia's best eating fish: white, firm and sweet. Bake whole, grill or pan-fry.

Big reef fish from some tropical areas can carry ciguatera (a fish poison that cooking doesn't destroy); ask locals which fish and sizes are safe to eat. Sharp spines and gill covers — handle with a towel or gloves.

Queensland has a 55 cm minimum and a bag limit; Western Australia and the NT have their own limits and closures. Use a release weight for undersize fish from deep water. Check current rules. Licenses and rules differ by country across the Indo-Pacific: Australia's states, Asian countries and the Pacific islands all set their own bag limits, size limits and marine park zones. Check the local rules or fish with a licensed charter.

Keep only what you'll eat and release the big breeders; wet your hands, support the fish's belly and get it back in the water fast.