PARROTPERCH, JAPANESE

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PARROTPERCH, JAPANESE

Scientific Name: 
Oplegnathus fasciatus
Salt/Fresh: 
Salt
Also Known As: 
Ishidai; Knifefish; Hoofjaws; Horseshoe Jaws; JAPANESE PARROTPERCH; False Parrotfishes; Barred Knifejaw; Striped Beakfish; Rock Bream; Striped Beakperch; Fantasy Fish
Rating: 
Countries: 
Other Countries
Description: 

The Japanese Parrotperch is a species of knifejaw native to the northwestern Pacific Ocean. It has been recorded as feeding on hard-shelled invertebrates suck as crustaceans and molluscs. It is a commercially important species and is also farmed. It is also sought after as a game fish. A Japanese Parrotperch is the surviving specimen of five Japanese Parrotperch that endured more than two years in the partially submerged hull of the Japanese boat Sai-shou-maru.

How To Identify: 

The teeth of both jaws are fused into cutting plates like the “beak” of parrotfishes which allows them to easily break the shells of snails or barnacles. 

The Japanese Parrotperch body is oblong-oval and moderately compressed with very small scales. There is a single dorsal fin with the spinous base much longer than the base of the soft portion. Adult Japanese Parrotperch have a low spinous dorsal fin. The spinous and soft dorsal fins are about the same height and are continuous in juveniles. In young individuals, the body is marked by about seven darker, vertical bands that gradually disappear with age. Very large fish generally have solid colors in grays and browns with the snout becoming black.

How To Catch: 

It is also sought after as a game fish. You can use a Daiwa Fishing Reel when fishing for the Japanese Parrotperch. It has been recorded as feeding on hard-shelled invertebrates suck as crustaceans and molluscs. For bait you can also use Sea Urchin. 

Where Found: 

Internationally

The Japanese Parrotperch is especially abundant in western Japan, but it is can be found on every coast of Japan and also in Hawaii. It inhabits coastal waters from shoreline to about 150m (500 ft) depth especially in the vicinity of rocky areas.

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