Category Archives: Emperor (Bitilya)

Orange-Striped Emperor ( Lethrinus obsoletus )

Jan 12

Posted by benaiahfogle

Common Name: Emperor, Bream

Local Name: Bitilya (Tagalog); Katambak Budlis (Cebuano)

Max Size: 60 cm

Biodiversity: Marine, Reef Associated, Non-Migratory

Depth: 1 – 30 meters

Fishing Season: None

Minimum Size Limit: 10 inches

Recommended Bait/Lures: Shrimp, crabs, other small crustaceans

IUCN Red List Status Status: Not Listed

Here is another one of the many emperor species found through out the waters here. This fish was caught on Mactan Island, Cebu.

Posted in Emperor (Bitilya)

Large-Eye Bream ( Gymnocranius elongatus )

Oct 27

Posted by benaiahfogle

Deep Sea Fishing Cebu

Common Name: Bream, Seabream, Swallowtail Bream, Emperor, Large-Eye Emperor

Local Name: (Tagalog); Katambak Sa Laud (Cebuano)

Max Size: 35cm

Biodiversity: Marine, Demersal (bottom dwelling)

Depth: 50 – 100+ meters

Fishing Season: All Year Long

Minimum Size Limit: None

Recommended Bait/Lures: Shrimp, crabs, other small crustaceans

IUCN Red List Status Status: Not Listed

These are generally a deeper water species that can be found along sandy or rocky bottoms. They can be found in small schools or solitary. They feed on the bottom mainly on invertebrates. These fish have a delicious white flesh similar to other emperor species and snappers which makes them excellent table fare. The fish pictured above was caught in around 100m of water while deep sea fishing in Cebu.

Good Sized Large-Eye Emperor

750g Bigeye Emperor

Posted in Bream (Bakoko), Emperor (Bitilya)

Long Nosed Emperor Fish ( Lethrinus olivaceus )

Nov 16

Posted by benaiahfogle

Common Name: Emperor, Long Face Emperor,

Local Name: Bakutut, Batilya, Bukawin (Tagalog), Dugso, Katambak (Cebuano)

Max Size: 100cm (14 kgs)

Biodiversity: Marine, Reef Associated

Depth: 1 – 185 m

Fishing Season: All Year Long

Minimum Size Limit: 10 inches

Recommended Bait/Lures: Shrimp, Squid, small fish or cut bait/ small jigs, soft plastics

This is a species of Emperor Fish common throughout the country. Eric caught this fine 2.5kg specimen in Puerto Galera while bottom fishing at around 100m using live shrimp as bait. These fish are reef associated fish, often seen patrolling with other fish. They are reported up to depths of 185m and can be taken on a variety of lures and bait including but not limited to; jigs, soft plastic lures, live shrimp, crank baits and more. These fish reportedly grow up to 70cm and can weigh as much as 14kgs.