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Japanese parrotfish (Calotomus japonicus) — Scaridae

Japanese parrotfish

Calotomus japonicus
Family: Scaridae

The Japanese parrotfish (Calotomus japonicus) is a saltwater fish of the family Scaridae that grows up to 39 cm.

Length
39 cm
Water
Saltwater
Diet
Herbivore
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The Japanese parrotfish is a parrotfish (Scaridae) from temperate reef waters of the northwest Pacific, off Japan. The species grows to about 39 cm and has an elongate body and a beak-shaped mouth whose teeth are less strongly fused than in tropical parrotfishes. As a reef-dweller it grazes weed and seagrass on rocky and weed-covered bottoms. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Japanese parrotfish?

The Japanese parrotfish has a flattened, disc-shaped body and is mainly green.

Where does the Japanese parrotfish live?

The Japanese parrotfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Japanese parrotfish get?

The Japanese parrotfish grows to a maximum of about 39 cm.

Is the Japanese parrotfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Japanese parrotfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Japanese parrotfish edible?

Yes, the Japanese parrotfish is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Japanse knaagpapegaaivis sourced
English name
Japanese parrotfish sourced
Scientific name
Calotomus japonicus
Family
Scaridae
Other names
Japanese parrotfish; Parrotfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
39.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Green sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Beak-shaped sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Herbivore sourced
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Vissen met natuurlijk aas (vis, garnaal, worm) of kunstaas dicht bij rif- en rotsstructuren. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Calotomus

More from the family Scaridae

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