Sea of Japan - List of fishes

This damselfish lives in shallow waters of the Pacific and Indian Oceans. It feeds on algae and small invertebrates, and is recognized by its 5 black vertical stripes and the fluorescent yellow band under its dorsal fin.

Easily recognizable by its horizontal black and blue stripes on a yellow background, this surgeonfish is a compulsive swimmer. Large males control well-defined feeding territories and surround themselves with a harem of females.

Named the pale surgeonfish due to its pastel blue-gray color, this fish is a common resident of the coral areas of the Indo-Pacific. It is regularly observed in schools of hundreds of individuals not far from the reefs.

The spotted eagle ray, also known as the leopard ray, inhabits coastal and estuaries waters of the Indo-Pacific zone. The largest individuals can reach over 3 meters. Subjected to overfishing, this species, characterized by its gregarious lifestyle and low fecundity, is threatened throughout its range. Partial protective measures exist today in some areas, such as the Maldives and Australia.

Unlike its famous cousin from the movie Finding Nemo, this tomato clownfish is reddish with a darker body. It has a single white vertical stripe just behind the eye. Young individuals have one to two additional stripes which they lose as they grow.

Blackspotted puffer frequents tropical marine waters from East Africa to Micronesia. It is common in coastal reefs with rich invertebrate growth on outer slopes. Often solitary but also in pairs, it feeds on corals, crustaceans, mollusks, sponges, tunicates, and algae. Like its congeners, it is capable of producing and accumulating toxins such as tetrodotoxin and saxitoxin in its skin, gonads, and liver.

Arothron stellatus is one of the giants among pufferfish. It is easily recognizable by its dark markings. Typically solitary, this species frequents sandy areas of lagoons and offshore reefs. It is a copepod predator that supplements its diet with various crustaceans and fish eggs.

Carcharodon carcharias, known as the white shark, is found in the coastal and oceanic waters of temperate and sub-tropical oceans and seas worldwide. A solitary predator, it feeds on fish, sharks, rays, and marine mammals, and can also scavenge on whale carcasses. With a keen sense of sight, it is curious and observant towards objects and activities. It is sometimes responsible for attacks on surfers.

The bicolor angelfish is a tropical fish found throughout much of the Indo-Pacific region. It is easily recognizable by its bicolor pattern, bright yellow on top, followed by blue. This omnivore frequents lagoons and protected reef slopes, either as a pair or in small scattered groups.

The coral beauty angelfish is always born female. As they grow, individuals change their sex to become male, a phenomenon known as protogynous sequential hermaphroditism. The difference between male and female is therefore visible. The adult male is larger and has an anal fin ending in a point.

The flame angelfish astonishes with its reddish and bluish color play reminiscent of a flame. These discreet herbivorous fish always reside close to a shelter. Dominant males form a harem that can consist of between 3 and 7 females.

The blacklip butterflyfish has a broad geographical distribution that spans from the Red Sea to the Galápagos Islands. Typically, it is found alone or in pairs in shallow coral reefs. It feeds on polyps of soft corals, particularly leather corals and broccoli corals.

The bleeker's parrotfish is a common tropical fish in the shallow waters of reef zones and lagoons in the Indo-Pacific region. Females have a dark brown body with light bands on the sides, while males are green in color and roam the corals alone.