Lateolabrax japonicus (Cuvier, 1828)
Japanese seabass
Lateolabrax japonicus
photo by CAFS

Family:  Lateolabracidae (Asian seaperches)
Max. size:  102 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 8,700.0 g
Environment:  reef-associated; freshwater; brackish; marine; depth range - 5 m, catadromous
Distribution:  Western Pacific: Japan to the South China Sea.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 12-15; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12-14; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 7-9
Biology:  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 (Ref. 36558). 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 (Ref. 12497). Utilized as a food fish (Ref. 559). Family placement uncertain (Ref. 1830). Used in Chinese medicine (Ref. 12166).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 09 January 2023 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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