Yellowtail Emperor

Lethrinus atkinsoni has a continuous dorsal fin which is supported by 10 apines and 9 fost rays while the anal fin is supported by 3 spines and 8 soft rays. It has a moderately deep body that has a standard length of between 2.3 and 2,6 times its depth. The dorsal profile of the head is clearly convex near the eyes and the snout is short and blunt with a steep, straight profile. This species has a yellow tail and a yellow mark over the eye, it may show a wide yellow longitudinal stripe running along the midflank. The extent of yellow on the caudal peduncle and how much it extends onto the body is variable. This species has a maximum published total length of 50 cm (20 in), although 32.5 cm (12.8 in) is more typical.

This species is widespread throughout the west Pacific Ocean, and is known to live in the waters of Indonesia, the Philippines, New Caledonia, and Japan.

Lethrinus atkinsoni is caught as a subsistence fish, commercially, as well as by recreation fishers. Although considered desirable as food, other species in the genus are preferred due to its smaller size. It is caught mainly using handlines, by trawling, and is captured in such nets as the shore seine and gillnet. It is marketed mostly fresh, not frozen.

Lethrinus atkinsoni has a patronym for its specific name, Seale did not say who he was honouring with the patronym, but it is thought likely to be the illustrator William Sackston Atkinson who prepared plates for Seale.