With distinctive pointed snouts, big eyes and thick lips, these wild-caught, marine fish are found mainly on the continental shelf especially around coral reefs and lagoons as well as inshore reefs and beaches, in tropical and subtropical waters to around 150m, and caught mainly off northern Australia by trawls, traps and lines.
Both species have yellowish skin with pale blue markings; the greater has pronounced blue lines on the face, whereas the lesser has less defined bluish-brown spots and streaks. The largest and most sought after of the Emperor family.