Calotomus japonicus (Valenciennes, 1840)
Japanese parrotfish
Calotomus japonicus
photo by Randall, J.E.

Family:  Scaridae (Parrotfishes), subfamily: Sparisomatinae
Max. size:  39 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine
Distribution:  Northwest Pacific: southern Japan, and at least as far as Tokyo, and the adjacent Asian mainland.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 9-9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-10; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 9-10; Vertebrae: 25-25. Flexible to semi-pungent dorsal spines; a dark central blotch on inter spinous membrane of dorsal spines I and II. Area circumscribed by pectoral fin unspotted. Rounded caudal fins at all sizes. Reddish brown in color when fresh with white and pale gray scale markings. Reddish pelvic fins with whitish blotches. Number of upper jaw teeth initially increasing with size. Yellow iris, blotched with dark brown. Lateral line interrupted.
Biology:  Apparently confined to coastal waters in rocky areas with seaweeds (Ref. 9710).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 17 September 2009 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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