Japanese red seaperch facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Japanese red seaperch |
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The Japanese red seaperch, also known as the dark-banded rockfish, is a type of fish that lives in the ocean. Its scientific name is Sebastes inermis. This fish is a member of the rockfish family. You can find it in the northwestern part of the Pacific Ocean.
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What's in a Name?
The Japanese red seaperch got its scientific name, Sebastes inermis, in 1829. A French scientist named Georges Cuvier first described it. He found it in Japan.
The word inermis means "unarmed" in Latin. This name refers to the small spines on the fish's head. These spines are not very strong.
How to Spot a Japanese Red Seaperch
This fish has a body that can be dark red or pale brown. Its back and sides show these colors. It has sharp spines near its eyes. However, most other spines on its head are quite weak.
The fins on its chest are called pectoral fins. They are long enough to reach past its anus when laid flat. These fins have 15 rays. The fin on its belly, called the anal fin, has 7 rays.
A Japanese red seaperch can grow up to about 35.9 centimeters (14.1 inches) long. The heaviest one ever recorded weighed about 800 grams (1.8 pounds).
Where They Live
You can find the Japanese red seaperch in the waters around Japan. They live from the southern part of Hokkaidō down to Kyūshū. They also live near the southern Korean Peninsula.
These fish usually live near the bottom of the ocean. They are called demersal fish. However, young fish swim in the open water. They often hide among floating seaweed.
Life Cycle and Reproduction
The Japanese red seaperch eats tiny ocean creatures called zooplankton. These are very small animals that float in the water.
Male fish are very protective of their space. They set up areas that can be from 12 to 70 square meters (129 to 753 square feet) in size. When a female fish comes near, the male starts a special dance. This dance involves rushing and turning movements.
This courtship dance can last for about 30 minutes. It ends with the male and female swimming up into the water. They go about 1.5 to 2.0 meters (4.9 to 6.6 feet) above the seabed. Then, the male wraps around the female to mate.
Why They Are Important to People
The Japanese red seaperch is a very important fish in Japan. People catch a lot of them for food. It is also raised on fish farms. This helps to meet the demand for this popular fish in markets.
