Home · Kyphosidae · Largescale blackfish
Largescale blackfish (Girella punctata) — Kyphosidae

Largescale blackfish

Girella punctata
Family: Kyphosidae
LC · Least Concern

The Largescale blackfish (Girella punctata) is a saltwater fish of the family Kyphosidae that grows up to 50 cm.

Length
50 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0–30 m
Diet
Herbivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The largescale blackfish is a sea chub from the northwest Pacific, along Japan, Korea and China. The species grows to about 50 cm and has a deep, oval, grey-green body with fine pale spots and a small mouth with cutting teeth. It grazes mainly algae and seaweed on rocky coastal reefs, supplemented with small invertebrates, and forms loose groups. It is a valued sport and food fish. The IUCN assesses the species as Least Concern (LC).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Largescale blackfish?

The Largescale blackfish has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly green and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Largescale blackfish live?

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

How big does the Largescale blackfish get?

The Largescale blackfish grows to a maximum of about 50 cm.

Is the Largescale blackfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Largescale blackfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Largescale blackfish edible?

Yes, the Largescale blackfish is commonly eaten.

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →

All data

Identification

Dutch name
Gestippelde zeekarper verified
English name
Largescale blackfish verified
Scientific name
Girella punctata
Family
Kyphosidae
Other names
Largescale blackfish; Small scale black fish; Smallscale blackfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
50.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Green inferred
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thick / fleshy sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
0 sourced
Max depth (m)
30 sourced
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Herbivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bodemvissen bij rotskusten sourced
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Girella

More from the family Kyphosidae

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →