Japanese seabass
📖 Overview
Found in moving water of inshore rocky reefs. Juveniles may ascend rivers and return to sea to spawn. Protandrous, sex change happens after maturation at age 2 . Spawning occurs during winter, in deeper rocky reefs or inshore areas. Predaceous, feeding on zooplankton at an early age and on small fish and shrimps as adults . Utilized as a food fish . Family placement uncertain . Used in Chinese medicine .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 12 - 15; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12 - 14; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 7 - 9. : fusiform / normal.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Japanese seabass is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
Males mature at age 2 years, becoming females when older . Juveniles may ascend rivers migrating to the sea to spawn .
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; freshwater; brackish; reef-associated; catadromous ; depth range 5 - ? m. Subtropical; 44°N - 15°N, 106°E - 143°E South China Sea.
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🎣 Angling Guide
- medium-heavy 7ft spinning rod
- 30-50 lb braid
- fluorocarbon leader
- grass flats
- oyster bars
- marsh drains
- deeper channel edges
Use barbless hooks, minimise air exposure, and revive fish head-first in current before release.
⚠️ Slot limits protect breeding-size fish. Verify daily bag limits.
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Japanese seabass is an edible species."
- Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
- Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
- Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
- Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
- Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
- Cloudy or sunken eyes
- Strong fishy or ammonia odour
- Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
- Discoloured or dry flesh
⚡ Nutrition
Per 100g cooked - Source: USDA FoodData Central
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Protein | 20.1 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 212 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Japanese seabass has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🔬 Full Nutritional Profile
Per 100g - Raw, per 100g - Source: USDA FoodData Central templates (generic fish average)
📊 Population Dynamics
| Year | Region | Index | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - |
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Holocentrum maculatum | McClelland | 1844 | Synonym |
| Labrax japonicus | Cuvier | 1828 | Synonym |
| Lateolabrax maculatus | McClelland | 1844 | Synonym |
| Percalabrax japonicus | Cuvier | 1828 | Synonym |
| Percalabrax poecilonotus | Guichenot | 1872 | Synonym |
| Percalabrax spilonotus | Guichenot | 1872 | Synonym |
| Percalabrax tokionensis | Döderlein | 1883 | Heterotypic |
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 523 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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