Common name: Japanese parrotfish

Scientific name: Calotomus japonicus (Valenciennes, 1840)
美しく大きなアオブダイ(ブダイ科)。

日本国静岡県伊豆半島賀茂郡南伊豆町中木から渡し船で渡るヒリゾ浜にて。
2023年9月9日水中撮影。
ブダイのオス
イトヒキブダイ

General information

The Japanese Parrotfish, Calotomus japonicus, is a vibrant and active species known for its beak-like mouthparts, which are used to scrape algae from hard surfaces. This species is a part of the Scaridae family, which includes other parrotfish known for their important role in maintaining the health of coral reefs by controlling algae growth.

Details

Recommended minimum tank volume
200 liter (53 gallons)
Salinity
S.G. 1.020 to 1.025
Temperature
22 to 26 °C (72 to 79 °F)
Acidity
pH 8.1 to 8.4
Average size
30 cm (1′)
Care level
Moderate to easy Adaptable to aquarium life
Diet
Herbivore Grazes on algae
Social
Solo Territorial, best kept alone
Reefsafe
Yes
Aggression
Semi aggresive May nip at other herbivores
Captive bred
No

Taxonomy

  1. Kingdom
    Animals
    Animalia
  2. Phylum
    Chordates
    Chordata
  3. Class
    Ray-finned Fishes
    Actinopterygii
  4. Order
    Perch-like Fishes
    Perciformes
  5. Family
    Parrotfish
    Scaridae
  6. Genus
    Parrotfish
    Calotomus
  7. Species
    Japanese parrotfish
    Calotomus japonicus (Valenciennes, 1840)
  8. Synonyms
    Callyodon japonicus Valenciennes, 1840
    Calotomus cyclurus Jenkins, 1903
    Leptoscarus japonicus (Valenciennes, 1840)

Care

Calotomus japonicus requires a spacious aquarium with plenty of live rock to graze on and hide among. They are herbivores, so their diet should consist mainly of marine algae and vegetable-based foods. It's important to maintain high water quality and stable parameters to keep these fish healthy.

Reproduction

In the wild, Japanese Parrotfish are protogynous hermaphrodites, meaning they start life as females and can change to males as they mature. In the aquarium, breeding is rare, but providing a stress-free environment with plenty of space can encourage natural behaviors.

Habitat

Native to the Western Pacific, including Japan, Taiwan, and the East China Sea, Calotomus japonicus is typically found in shallow, subtropical waters around coral reefs and rocky outcrops. They play a crucial role in their natural habitat by grazing on algae and preventing it from overgrowing on corals.