DMM KARIYUSHI AQUARIUM

Cyurasan Reef

Saltwater Fish

Classification
Perciformes, Parrotfish
distribution
Kashiwajima, Kochi Prefecture, south of the Ogasawara Islands, India, Pacific Ocean

Yellowband parrotfish

Scientific name
Scarus schlegeli
English name
Yellowband parrotfish

Features

The body color of the male and female are different, and males have a distinctive horizontal band on the back and belly of the rear half of their body. They live in coral reefs and rocky areas, where they feed on algae and crustaceans attached to rocks.

From the breeding staff

The male's name comes from the band-like pattern on his body! The contrast between the slightly darker body color and the blue band is beautiful!

Saltwater Fish

Classification
Perciformes, Parrotfish
distribution
South of Wakayama Prefecture, Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean (excluding the Red Sea and Hawaiian Islands)

Forsten's parrotfish

Scientific name
Scarus forsteni
English name
Forsten's parrotfish

Features

Males are generally bluish in color with bright pink bands on their pectoral and caudal fins, while females are reddish in color, which is quite different from males.

From the breeding staff

This parrotfish has distinctive patterns on the male and female, making them easy to distinguish! Females can be easily identified by the blue pattern in the middle of their bodies!

Saltwater Fish

Classification
Perciformes, Labridae
distribution
South of Amami Oshima, Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean

Slingjaw wrasse

Scientific name
Epibulus insidiator
English name
Slingjaw wrasse

Features

When feeding, they have a distinctive way of extending their snout forward and instantly sucking in crustaceans caught in the gaps between the Corals. In addition, their body color varies widely, and even the same individual can change from yellow to brown or dark depending on the environment, so much so that they look like a completely different fish.

From the breeding staff

The spike-like part under its face is actually its jaw! When it eats, its mouth stretches out!

Saltwater Fish

Classification
Perciformes, Lutjanidae
distribution
South of Chiba Prefecture, Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean

Humpback red snapper

Scientific name
Lutjanus gibbus
English name
Humpback red snapper

Features

Juvenile fish have a bluish body color, but when they become adults, their body height increases and their body color becomes reddish. They live in rocky and coral reef areas and prey on fish, crustaceans, invertebrates, etc.

From the breeding staff

This beautiful red fish swims in schools! When it is young, it has a slightly bluish color!

Saltwater Fish

Classification
Order Perciformes, Family Scalpel sawtail, Family Acanthoptera
distribution
South of the Kii Peninsula, Indian Ocean, Western Pacific Ocean

Bignose unicornfish

Scientific name
Naso vlamingii
English name
Bignose unicornfish

Features

It is a member of the Bluespine unicornfish, but it does not have a horn-like protrusion on its head, and has a bulging mouth. It usually inhabits coral reefs, and sometimes forms large schools near the cliffs on the outer edge of the reef. It feeds on zooplankton and other creatures. During the breeding season, males darken their body color and chase females.

From the breeding staff

Since it is a white fish, it can be enjoyed by grilling it with butter or stewing it!

Saltwater Fish

Classification
Order Perciformes, Family Scalpel sawtail, Family Acanthoptera
distribution
South of Chiba Prefecture, Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean

Sleek unicornfish

Scientific name
Naso hexacanthus
English name
Sleek unicornfish

Features

It is characterized by small scales and tough skin. It does not have horn-like protrusions, but has two spines at the base of its tail, which makes it a member of the longfin Bluespine unicornfish. It lives in large schools on the slopes of coral reefs. It feeds on zooplankton and other creatures.

From the breeding staff

It looks a bit like a Bluespine unicornfish, but unlike Bluespine unicornfish which like to live around the outer edges of coral reefs, the Sleek unicornfish tends to like deeper water with good tidal flow!

Saltwater Fish

Classification
Perciformes, Labridae
distribution
Ryukyu Islands, Western Pacific

Harlequin tuskfish

Scientific name
Choerodon fasciatus
English name
Harlequin tuskfish

Features

It has orange and white stripes and blue teeth. Its name comes from the seven orange lines on its body. It lives alone on rocky and coral reefs. It is carnivorous and eats small fish and crustaceans that live on the seabed.

From the breeding staff

It's a fish that you'll never forget once you see it.
It has sharp teeth, which are characteristic of a type of fish called a wrasse, so take a good look at its mouth!

Saltwater Fish

Classification
Order Perciformes, Family Scalpel sawtail, Family Acanthoptera
distribution
Ohiragishi, south of Ibaraki Prefecture, Nagasaki, the Ryukyu Islands, the Ogasawara Islands, etc.

Pencil surgeonfish

Scientific name
Acanthurus dussumieri Valenciennes
English name
Pencil surgeonfish

Features

It is similar to the Yellowfin surgeonfish and the male surgeonfish, but the spines on its tail peduncle are covered with a white membrane. It grows to a body length of over 30 cm. It mainly feeds on algae, but also eats crustaceans.

From the breeding staff

Her eyes look like she's wearing glasses and her small mouth is very cute.

Saltwater Fish

Classification
Perciformes, Labridae
distribution
South of the Nansei Islands, Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean

Humphead wrasse

Scientific name
Cheilinus undulatus
English name
Humphead wrasse

Features

The name comes from the fact that the black vertical line through the eye makes it look like the fish is wearing glasses. The hump on its head that grows as it grows resembles Napoleon's military cap, so it is also known as the "Napoleon fish." Only males have large humps.

From the breeding staff

We raise young fish at our aquarium, and it is very soothing to see them growing little by little each day.

Saltwater Fish

Classification
Perciformes, Grouperidae
distribution
South of Suruga Bay, Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean

Coral hind

Scientific name
Cephalopholis miniata
English name
Coral hind

Features

It is characterized by its bright blue spots on its red body, and is also known as the "blue star grouper." It mainly feeds on small fish and crustaceans, but may also prey on larger mollusks such as octopus and squid.

From the breeding staff

The bright colours of the body brighten up the atmosphere of the aquarium.

Saltwater Fish

Classification
Order Perciformes, Family Scalpel sawtail, Family Acanthoptera
distribution
Ryukyu Islands, Ogasawara Islands, Tokara Islands, Minamidaito Island, etc.

Elongate surgeonfish

Scientific name
Acanthurus mata
English name
Elongate surgeonfish

Features

It lives in the reefs and coral reefs of southern Japan. It is characterized by a short yellow band across its eye. Its body is bluish in color with many thin bright blue vertical bands. Like other fish in the family Scalpel sawtail, it has spines on its caudal peduncle.

From the breeding staff

Normally the beautiful vertical stripes are clearly visible, but when they are alert, their body color turns darker.

Saltwater Fish

Classification
Perciformes, Labridae
distribution
Ryukyu Islands, Hachijo Island, Izu Oshima, Ogasawara Islands

Ringtail maori wrasse

Scientific name
Oxycheilinus unifasciatus
English name
Ringtail maori wrasse

Features

It is relatively large among the Labridae family, growing to over 40 cm. The body color varies from brown to reddish brown depending on the individual, with a brown line extending from behind the eyeball to the gill cover and a white horizontal band on the caudal peduncle. It is carnivorous, preying on small fish and crustaceans.

From the breeding staff

Its name is said to come from the white pattern on its tail peduncle, and it also has two distinctive red lines behind its eyes.
It has a distinctive appearance, so be sure to look for it.

Saltwater Fish

Classification
Perciformes, Grouperidae
distribution
Ryukyu Islands, Hachijo Island, Izu Oshima, Ogasawara Islands

Yellow-edged lyretail

Scientific name
Variola louti
English name
Yellow-edged lyretail

Features

This large species grows to a body length of 60cm. The rear end of the fins is yellow, and there are many small bluish purple and pale pink spots scattered on the sides of the body. Depending on the habitat, ciguatera toxins contained in the food they eat may accumulate.

From the breeding staff

They are laid-back creatures and often hide in crevices between the Corals to rest.

Saltwater Fish

Classification
Perciformes, Pomacentridae
distribution
Izu Islands, Izu Peninsula, Wakayama Prefecture, Kochi Prefecture, Yakushima, Tottori Islands, Ryukyu Islands

Stout chromis

Scientific name
Chromis chrysura
English name
Stout chromis

Features

Juvenile fish have blue vertical lines above their eyes and blue fins. Their body color is yellowish. As they become adults, their body color becomes black, with only their tail fin turning white. When they reach adulthood, they live in schools and feed on zooplankton and attached algae.

From the breeding staff

The Bowtie damselfish also changes color in a similar way from juvenile to adult, but is there any pattern to this?

Saltwater Fish

Classification
Perciformes, Grouperidae
distribution
Izu Islands, Pacific coast south of Sagami Bay, Yamaguchi Prefecture, northwest coast of Kyushu, Ryukyu Islands, Minamidaito Island, Ogasawara Islands.

Blacktip grouper

Scientific name
Epinepphelus fasciatus
English name
Blacktip grouper

Features

The body is generally red with about five horizontal stripes of different shades on the sides. The body color changes depending on the situation. In the Okinawa dialect, it is called hango mee bai.

From the breeding staff

This fish has a flashy bright red body, but since red light is absorbed in the ocean and becomes difficult to see, it may be one of the more dull fish in the world.

Saltwater Fish

Classification
Order Perciformes, Family Pycnonotidae
distribution
Izu Islands, Pacific coast south of the Izu Peninsula, Ryukyu Islands, Senkaku Islands, Ogasawara Islands

Lesson's thicklip

Scientific name
Plectorhinchus lessonii
English name
Lesson's thicklip

Features

There are black vertical stripes on the sides of the body, and the dorsal, anal, and rib fins are mottled with yellow and black. When young, the entire body is covered with white and black vertical stripes.

From the breeding staff

The young fish look very similar to the striped Striped eel catfish, so if you spot one in the ocean, you might get a bit scared.

Saltwater Fish

Classification
Perciformes, Lutjanidae
distribution
The Pacific coast south of Shizuoka Prefecture, the Ryukyu Islands, Minamidaito Island, and the Ogasawara Islands

Blacktail snapper

Scientific name
Lutjanus fulvus
English name
Blacktail snapper

Features

Juvenile fish have yellow vertical lines, and their pelvic, anal and pectoral fins are yellow, while their dorsal and caudal fins are deep red. As they grow, the yellow vertical lines disappear. They eat crustaceans and small fish. They are edible, but they can contain ciguatera toxins.

From the breeding staff

Personally, I think the horizontal lines are cuter, but unfortunately they disappear when they become adults.

Saltwater Fish

Classification
Perciformes Butterflyfishes
distribution
South of Chiba Prefecture

Vagabond butterflyfish

Scientific name
Chaetodon vagabundus
English name
Vagabond butterflyfish

Features

It resembles the Threadfin butterflyfish, but can be distinguished by the presence or absence of black bands, black spots, and extended soft rays of the dorsal fin. It is omnivorous, feeding on Corals polyps, attached algae, and benthic animals.

From the breeding staff

I think "Furai" probably means a wanderer, and perhaps it refers to traveling freely in nature.

Saltwater Fish

Classification
Order Perciformes, Family Scalpel sawtail, Family Acanthoptera
distribution
Izu Islands, Pacific coast south of Miura Peninsula in Kanagawa Prefecture, Ryukyu Islands, Ogasawara Islands

Brown surgeonfish

Scientific name
Acanthurus nigrofuscus
English name
Brown surgeonfish

Features

It is generally brown with small orange spots around its face. It mainly eats attached algae. It lives in coral reefs and rocky areas.

From the breeding staff

This fish gives off a rather flat impression. Its small pursed mouth compared to its body makes it especially cute.

Saltwater Fish

Classification
Order: Perciformes, Family: Siganidae
distribution
South of Wakayama Prefecture, Ogasawara Islands

Rabbit-faced Spinefoot

Scientific name
Siganus argenteus
English name
Rabbit-faced Spinefoot

Features

It has a low body height among the rabbitfish family. Its dorsal, pelvic and anal fins are sharp and poisonous. Young rabbitfish are called "suku".

From the breeding staff

This fish has a unique shape with its fins spread wide, and you'll never forget it once you've seen it.

Saltwater Fish

Classification
Order Perciformes, Family Scalpel sawtail, Family Acanthoptera
distribution
The Pacific coast south of Ibaraki Prefecture, the Izu Islands, the Ryukyu Islands, the Ogasawara Islands, and Okinotorishima

Yellowfin surgeonfish

Scientific name
Acanthurus xanthopterus
English name
Yellowfin surgeonfish

Features

Its body is blackish with yellow around the eyes and on its pectoral fins. It has a movable spine at the base of its tail fin. It is omnivorous, feeding on algae and crustaceans.

From the breeding staff

This fish has a striking pale blue color rather than black. When it is a juvenile, it is completely black.

Saltwater Fish

Classification
Perciformes, Grouperidae
distribution
Hachijo Island, the Pacific coast south of Sagami Bay, the Ryukyu Islands, and the Ogasawara Islands

Epinephelus merra

Scientific name
Honeycomb grouper
English name
Epinephelus merra

Features

It has brown spots all over its body. It is small among groupers, measuring about 25cm. It lives in coral reefs and eats crustaceans and small fish. In Okinawa, it is called Ishimibai.

From the breeding staff

In Okinawa, the spots all over its body resemble stones, and it is called ishi (stone) meebai (grouper).

Saltwater Fish

Classification
Perciformes, Labridae
distribution
Ryukyu Islands, Hachijo Island, Yakushima Island, Ogasawara Islands, etc.

Tripletail wrasse

Scientific name
Cheilinus trilobatus
English name
Tripletail wrasse

Features

It is characterized by a three-pronged tail fin. Body color varies depending on the stage of growth and the individual. Young fish have gray and black stripes and do not have a forked tail fin. Males grow to about 50 cm, making them the second largest fish in the Humphead wrasse genus.

From the breeding staff

At first glance, the origin of the name of this fish seems obvious from its tail fin, but in fact, the origin is unknown. Could it be three leaves, three teeth, or three blades?

Saltwater Fish

Classification
Order Perciformes, Family Coccinellidae
distribution
Ryukyu Islands, Yakushima, Hachijojima, etc.

Orbicular batfish

Scientific name
Platax orbicularis
English name
Orbicular batfish

Features

It is similar to the Tiera batfish, but it does not have the black spot between its pectoral and pelvic fins, and its pelvic fins are black. When it is a juvenile, its dorsal and pelvic fins are long, and it is called the Tiera batfish because it resembles a swallow.

From the breeding staff

The appearance of the juvenile and adult Orbicular batfish is different. They have a strong appetite, so we raise adult fish at our aquarium.

Saltwater Fish

Classification
Perciformes, Grouperidae
distribution
Ryukyu Islands, Yakushima, Ogasawara Islands, etc.

Darkfin hind

Scientific name
Cephalopholis urodeta
English name
Darkfin hind

Features

This grouper is characterized by two diagonal white stripes on its tail fin. Individuals vary in body color, with some being red and others brown. They live in shallow coral reefs, and in Okinawa they are sometimes called akamebai.

From the breeding staff

This is a type of grouper with a beautiful red body color. In the aquarium, you can often see them resting among the Corals or on the rocks.

Saltwater Fish

Classification
Perciformes, Lutjanidae
distribution
Ryukyu Islands, Ogasawara Islands, Yakushima

Black and white snapper

Scientific name
Macolor niger
English name
Black and white snapper

Features

The color of the adult fish is very different from that of the juvenile fish, with the juvenile fish having a black base with white vertical stripes and spots, but the adult fish has a completely black body color. In Okinawa, it is sometimes called Inafuku.

From the breeding staff

When young, they have cute patterns, but as they grow, the patterns gradually disappear and their whole body becomes blackish. They are also known as edible fish in Okinawa.

Saltwater Fish

Classification
Perciformes, Labridae
distribution
South of Wakayama Prefecture, Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean

Blackfin hogfish

Scientific name
Bodianus loxozonus
English name
Blackfin hogfish

Features

It is characterized by black spots that run from the back of its dorsal fin to its tail fin. It grows to about 35cm in length. It inhabits shallow coral reefs and rocky areas, and mainly preys on small crustaceans.

From the breeding staff

Take a good look at its mouth! Its teeth are very sharp!
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