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Seto Sea Fish We really like to go fishing. We are an eat what we catch family, not catch and release. There were a few close calls with not only handling fish, but also with eating fish during the ten years we were on Tanegashima Island in Japan. This time around we decided to be much better informed, which prompted me to make this list. This was very time consuming, with the data coming from numerous sources, and each fish listed was fact checked for accuracy of information. Most of our fishing now consists of Kayak fishing. That said, landing a venomous fish into the small confines of a kayak is not a good idea. While this list is geared towards fishing, this is also very useful information for all of you snorkelers and divers out there. The Seto Sea in Japan is said to be home to over 500 marine species. A marine species is defined as any living organism that lives in saltwater environments, such as oceans, seas, and estuaries. This includes a wide range of animals and plants, such as fish, marine mammals, corals, and plankton. This page has over 400 fish listed that could be found in the Seto Sea. The fish list is divided into taxonomic classes, orders, and families.   How to use This Page This page has a lot of information but sifting through all of it is easy, well kind of. If you are fishing, snorkeling, or diving in the Seto Sea and you catch or see a cool fish, follow these simple steps to identify the fish. Scroll through the fish pictures on the left side of the page until you find a fish picture that looks similar to the fish you caught or saw. Read through the list of fish names below the picture and click the links to go to either the Wikipedia page or the Fishbase page for that fish.  Note: The fish not listed as "(LC) Least concern" in the Status column, or fish not listed as "Harmless" in the Caution column, all have a picture link (popup) in the Comments column on the right side of the page. Table Key Taxonomy The taxonomy of fish is the system of classifying fish into groups based on their similarities and differences. Domain - The three domains of life are Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya. Fish are in the Eukarya domain. Kingdom - Kingdoms include Animalia, Plantae, and Fungi. Fish are in the Animalia kingdom. Phylum - Fish are in the phylum Chordata. Class - Traditional classification divides fish into three extant classes: Agnatha - Jawless fish, including lampreys and hagfish, which have a skull but lack a true jaw and vertebrae. Chondrichthyes - Cartilaginous fish, including sharks, rays, skates, sawfish, and chimeras, lack a swim bladder, which helps maintain buoyancy in other fish. Osteichthyes - Bony fish, which includes a huge number and diversity of species, and have skeletons made up primarily of bone tissue. Order - The fish on this page are divided into groups based on taxonomic "order" and are indicated with this color text. Family - Many fish in the same taxonomic "order" look very different. Additional fish pictures were added within each "order" when needed to make identification easier, basically separating out specific, but not all,  family groups, which are indicated with this color text. Fish Name Fish name commonly used with a link to the Wikipedia page Scientific Name Fish name commonly used in science (Latin name) with a link to the Fishbase page Status The International Union for Conservation of Nature's (IUCN) Red List classifies fish species by their risk of extinction. The categories are: (EX) Extinct – There are no known living individuals. (EW) Extinct in the wild – Known only to survive in captivity, or as a naturalized population outside its historic range. (CR) Critically Endangered – Highest risk of extinction in the wild. (EN) Endangered – Higher risk of extinction in the wild. (VU) Vulnerable – High risk of extinction in the wild. (NT) Near Threatened – Likely to become endangered in the near future. (LC) Least concern – Very Low risk; does not qualify for a higher risk category and not likely to be threatened in the near future. Widespread and abundant taxa are included in this category. Caution Harmless - no threat to humans Pest - potential pest Ciguatera - reports of ciguatera poisoning Poisonous - poisonous to eat Venomous - injecting venom by means of a bite or sting Traumatogenic - can cause trauma or injury to humans Note: the fish listed as "harmless" simply means you will not get too messed up handling or eating those fish. That said, keep in mind that many of these "harmless" fish can still give you a nasty bite, inflict a painful cut, or make you pretty nauseous if you eat the wrong fish. Comments Additional information and a picture of selected fish meaning, all fish listed as anything besides "harmless", and all fish listed as anything but "Least Concern" on the IUCN list.   Hagfish - Agnatha Class Fish Name (Link to Wikipedia) Scientific Name (Link to Fishbase) Status Caution Comments Myxiniformes Order Hagfish are eel-shaped jawless fish (occasionally called slime eels). Hagfish are the only known living animals that have a skull but no vertebral column, although they do have rudimentary vertebrae. Hagfish are marine predators and scavengers who can defend themselves against other larger predators by releasing copious amounts of slime from mucous glands in their skin. Inshore hagfish Eptatretus burgeri (NT) Near Threatened Harmless Picture           Cartilaginous Fish - Sharks - Chondrichthyes Class Fish Name (Link to Wikipedia) Scientific Name (Link to Fishbase) Status Caution Comments Chimaeriformes Order Chimaeras are cartilaginous fish known informally as ghost sharks, rat fish, spookfish, or rabbit fish. At one time a "diverse and abundant" group (based on the fossil record), their closest living relatives are sharks and rays, though their last common ancestor with them lived nearly 400 million years ago. Living species (aside from plough-nose chimaeras) are largely confined to deep water. Rabbit fish Chimaera monstrosa (VU) Vulnerable Traumatogenic Picture           Heterodontiformes Order Heterodontiformes is an order of sharks in the superorder Galeomorphii. It includes the bullhead sharks (genus Heterodontus), and several extinct genera. The earliest known members of the group are from the Early Jurassic (Toarcian), around 175 million years ago. Japanese bullhead shark Heterodontus japonicus (LC) Least concern Traumatogenic Picture           Orectolobiformes Order Carpet sharks are sharks classified in the order Orectolobiformes. Sometimes the common name "carpet shark" (given because many species resemble ornately patterned carpets) is used interchangeably with "wobbegong", which is the common name of sharks in the family Orectolobidae. Whale shark Rhincodon typus (EN) Endangered Harmless Picture           Lamniformes Order The Lamniformes are an order of sharks commonly known as mackerel sharks. It includes some of the most familiar species of sharks, such as the great white as well as less familiar ones, such as the goblin shark and megamouth shark. Great white shark Carcharodon carcharias (CR) Critically Endangered Traumatogenic Picture Salmon shark Lamna ditropis (LC) Least concern Traumatogenic Picture Basking shark Cetorhinus maximus (EN) Endangered Traumatogenic Picture Thresher shark Alopias vulpinus (VU) Vulnerable Harmless Picture           Carcharhiniformes Order Carcharhiniformes, commonly known as ground sharks, are the largest order of sharks, with over 270 species. They include a number of common types, such as catsharks, swellsharks, and requiem sharks. Sphyrnidae Family - The hammerhead sharks are a group of sharks that form the family Sphyrnidae, named for the unusual and distinctive form of their heads, which are flattened and laterally extended into a cephalofoil (a T-shape or "hammer"). The shark's eyes are placed one on each end of this T-shaped structure, with their small mouths directly centered and underneath. Scalloped hammerhead Sphyrna lewini (CR) Critically Endangered Unknown Picture Smooth hammerhead Sphyrna zygaena (VU) Vulnerable Traumatogenic Picture Miscellaneous Family - The following fish are in miscellaneous families and have slightly different physical characteristics. Leopard shark Triakis semifasciata (LC) Least concern Harmless Picture Starspotted smooth-hound Mustelus manazo (EN) Endangered Harmless Picture Spotless smooth-hound Mustelus griseus (EN) Endangered Harmless Picture Banded houndshark Triakis scyllium (EN) Endangered Harmless Picture Blacktip reef shark Carcharhinus melanopterus (VU) Vulnerable Traumatogenic Picture           Hexanchiformes Order The Hexanchiformes are a primitive order of sharks, numbering just seven extant species in two families. Fossil sharks that were apparently very similar to modern sevengill species are known from Jurassic specimens. Sharpnose sevengill shark Heptranchias perlo (NT) Near Threatened Poisonous Picture           Squatiniformes Order Squatiniformes is an order of sharks belonging to Squalomorphii. It contains only a single living genus Squatina, commonly known as angelsharks. The oldest genus of the order, Pseudorhina is known from the Late Jurassic of Europe. Japanese angelshark Squatina japonica (CR) Critically Endangered Traumatogenic Picture           Pristiophoriformes Order A sawshark or saw shark is a member of a shark order Pristiophoriformes, bearing a unique long, saw-like rostrum (snout or bill) edged with pointed teeth, which they use to slash and disable their prey. There are eight species within the Pristiophoriformes order. Japanese sawshark Pristiophorus japonicus (LC) Least concern Harmless Picture           Cartilaginous Fish - Rays - Chondrichthyes Class Fish Name (Link to Wikipedia) Scientific Name (Link to Fishbase) Status Caution Comments Torpediniformes Order The electric rays are a group of rays, flattened cartilaginous fish with enlarged pectoral fins, composing the order Torpediniformes. They are known for being capable of producing an electric discharge, ranging from 8 to 220 volts, depending on species, used to stun prey and for defense. There are 69 species in four families. Japanese sleeper ray Narke japonica (VU) Vulnerable Unknown Picture Chinese fanray Platyrhina sinensis (EN) Endangered Harmless Picture           Rhinopristiformes Order Rhinopristiformes is an order of rays, cartilaginous fishes related to sharks, containing shovelnose rays and allied groups. Brown guitarfish Rhinobatos schlegelii (CR) Critically Endangered Harmless Picture Ringstreaked guitarfish Rhinobatos hynnicephalus (EN) Endangered Harmless Picture           Rajiformes Order Rajiformes is one of the four orders in the clade Batomorphi, often referred to as the superorder Batoidea, flattened cartilaginous fishes related to sharks. Rajiforms are distinguished by the presence of greatly enlarged pectoral fins, which reach as far forward as the sides of the head, with a generally flattened body. Bathyraja isotrachys Bathyraja isotrachys (LC) Least concern Harmless Picture Ocellate spot skate Okamejei kenojei (VU) Vulnerable No information Picture Acutenose skate Dipturus tengu (NT) Near Threatened No information Picture           Myliobatiformes Order Myliobatiformes is one of the four orders of batoids, cartilaginous fishes related to sharks. They were formerly included in the order Rajiformes, but more recent phylogenetic studies have shown the myliobatiforms to be a monophyletic group, and its more derived members evolved their highly flattened shapes independently of the skates. Pale-edged stingray Dasyatis zugei (VU) Vulnerable Harmless Picture Whip stingray Hemitrygon akajei (NT) Near Threatened Venomous Picture Japanese butterflyray Gymnura japonica (VU) Vulnerable Venomous Picture Japanese eagle ray Myliobatis tobijei (VU) Vulnerable Traumatogenic Picture Whitespotted eagle ray Aetobatus narinari (EN) Endangered Traumatogenic Picture Giant manta Mobula birostris (EN) Endangered Harmless Picture           Bony Fish - Osteichthyes Class Fish Name (Link to Wikipedia) Scientific Name (Link to Fishbase) Status Caution Comments Elopiformes Order The Elopiformes are the order of ray-finned fish including the tarpons, tenpounders, and ladyfish, as well as a number of extinct types. They have a long fossil record, easily distinguished from other fishes by the presence of an additional set of bones in the throat. Indo-Pacific tarpon Megalops cyprinoides Data Deficient Harmless             Albuliformes Order Albulidae is a family of fish, commonly known as the bonefishes. The family is small, with 11 species in 3 genera. Presently, the bonefishes are in their own order: Albuliformes. Japanese gissu Pterothrissus gissu Data Deficient Harmless             Anguilliformes Order Eels are ray-finned fish belonging to the order Anguilliformes, which consists of eight suborders, 20 families, 164 genera, and about 1000 species. Eels undergo considerable development from the early larval stage to the eventual adult stage and are usually predators. Japanese eel Anguilla japonica (EN) Endangered Harmless Picture Giant mottled eel Anguilla marmorata (LC) Least concern Harmless   Kidako moray Gymnothorax kidako (LC) Least concern Traumatogenic Picture Harlequin snake eel Myrichthys colubrinus (LC) Least concern Harmless   Giant sea snake Ophisurus macrorhynchos (LC) Least concern Harmless   Manetail snake eel Ophichthus urolophus (LC) Least concern Harmless   Highfin snake eel Ophichthus altipennis (LC) Least concern Harmless   Snubnosed eel Simenchelys parasitica (LC) Least concern Harmless   Silvery conger Ariosoma anago Data Deficient Harmless   Whitespotted conger Conger myriaster (LC) Least concern Harmless   Beach conger (same as above) Conger japonicus (different link) (LC) Least concern Harmless   Daggertooth pike conger Muraenesox cinereus (LC) Least concern Harmless   Common pike conger Muraenesox bagio (LC) Least concern No information             Clupeiformes Order Clupeiformes is the order of ray-finned fish that includes the herring family, Clupeidae, and the anchovy family, Engraulidae and sardines. The group includes many of the most important forage and food fish. Pacific herring Clupea pallasii Data Deficient Harmless   Silver-stripe round herring Spratelloides gracilis (LC) Least concern Harmless   Elongate ilisha Ilisha elongata (LC) Least concern Harmless   Pacific sardine Sardinops sagax (LC) Least concern Harmless   Japanese sardinella Sardinella zunasi (LC) Least concern Harmless   Dotted gizzard shad Konosirus punctatus (LC) Least concern Harmless   Japanese anchovy Engraulis japonicus (LC) Least concern Ciguatera Picture           Acropomatiformes Order The Acropomatiformes or Pempheriformes are an order of fish from the group of perch relatives Percomorpha. The relationship of the families assigned to the Acropomatiformes is based on molecular biological studies and is not yet supported by morphological characteristics. Japanese seabass Lateolabrax japonicus (LC) Least concern Harmless   Blackfin seabass Lateolabrax latus Not evaluated Harmless   Striped giant seabass Stereolepis doederleini Not evaluated Harmless   Glowbelly Acropoma japonicum Not evaluated Harmless   Blackthroat seaperch Doederleinia berycoides Not evaluated Harmless             Siluriformes Order Catfish are a diverse group of ray-finned fish, named for their prominent barbels, which resemble a cat's whiskers. Neither the armour-plated types nor the naked types have scales. Despite their name, not all catfish have prominent barbels or "whiskers". Striped eel catfish Plotosus lineatus (LC) Least concern Venomous Picture           Salmoniformes Order Salmonidae is a family of ray-finned fish that constitutes the only currently extant family in the order Salmoniformes, consisting of 11 extant genera and over 200 species collectively known as "salmonids" or "salmonoids". Chum salmon Oncorhynchus keta (LC) Least concern Harmless   Masu salmon Oncorhynchus masou (LC) Least concern Harmless   Amago or red-spotted masu salmon Oncorhynchus masou macrostomus No link No data No data Possibly a subspecies of above           Osmeriformes Order The Osmeriformes are an order of ray-finned fish that includes the true or freshwater smelts and allies, such as the galaxiids and noodlefishes; they are also collectively called osmeriforms. They belong to the teleost superorder Protacanthopterygii, which also includes pike and salmon, among others. Japanese smelt Hypomesus transpacificus nipponensis (LC) Least concern Pest Picture Ayu sweetfish Plecoglossus altivelis Data Deficient Harmless   Japanese icefish Salangichthys microdon (LC) Least concern Harmless             Aulopiformes Order Aulopiformes is a diverse order of marine ray-finned fish consisting of some 15 extant and several prehistoric families with about 45 genera and over 230 species. The common names grinners, lizardfishes and allies, or aulopiforms are sometimes used for this group. Japanese thread-sail fish Hime japonica Data Deficient Harmless   Slender lizardfish Saurida elongata (LC) Least concern Harmless   Wanieso lizardfish Saurida wanieso Data Deficient Harmless   Snakefish Trachinocephalus myops (LC) Least concern Harmless   Acanthocepola krusensternii Acanthocepola krusensternii Not evaluated Harmless   Attenuated spider fish Bathypterois atricolor (LC) Least concern Harmless             Myctophiformes Order The Myctophiformes are an order of ray-finned fishes consisting of two families of deep-sea marine fish, most notably the highly abundant lanternfishes (Myctophidae). The blackchins (Neoscopelidae) contain six species in three genera, while the bulk of the family belongs to the Myctophidae, with over 30 genera and some 252 species. Skinnycheek lanternfish Benthosema pterotum (LC) Least concern Harmless             Gadiformes Order Gadiformes, also called the Anacanthini, are an order of ray-finned fish that include the cod, hakes, pollock, haddock, burbot, rocklings and moras, many of which are food fish of major commercial value. Laemonema nana No name Laemonema nana Not evaluated Harmless             Perciformes Order Perciformes, also called the Acanthopteri, is an order or superorder of ray-finned fish in the clade Percomorpha. Perciformes means "perch-like". Among the well-known members of this group are perches and darters (Percidae), and also sea basses and groupers (Serranidae). Scorpaenidae Family - The Scorpaenidae (also known as scorpionfish) are a family of mostly marine fish that includes many of the world's most venomous species. As their name suggests, scorpionfish have a type of "sting" in the form of spines coated with venomous mucus. They are widespread in tropical and temperate seas but mostly found in the Indo-Pacific. Korean rockfish Sebastes schlegelii Not evaluated Harmless   Flower scorpionfish Hoplosebastes armatus Not evaluated Harmless   Large-headed scorpionfish Pontinus macrocephalus (LC) Least concern Harmless   Ocellated waspfish Apistus carinatus (LC) Least concern Venomous Picture Red lionfish Pterois volitans (LC) Least concern Venomous Picture Luna lion fish Pterois lunulata (LC) Least concern Venomous Picture Cheekspot scorpionfish Scorpaenodes evides (LC) Least concern Harmless   False kelpfish Sebastiscus marmoratus No data Venomous Picture Korean rockfish Sebastes schlegelii Not evaluated Harmless   Sebastes oblongus No Name Sebastes oblongus Not evaluated Harmless   Sebastes vulpes No Name Sebastes vulpes Not evaluated Harmless   Sebastes hubbsi No Name Sebastes hubbsi Not evaluated Harmless   Sebastes pachycephalus No Name Sebastes pachycephalus Not evaluated Harmless   Inimicus japonicus Inimicus japonicus Not evaluated Venomous Picture False stonefish Scorpaenopsis diabolus (LC) Least concern Venomous Picture Grey stingfish Minous monodactylus (LC) Least concern Venomous Picture Estuarine stonefish Synanceia horrida (LC) Least concern Venomous Picture Pitted stonefish Erosa erosa (LC) Least concern Venomous Picture Paracentropogon rubripinnis No name Paracentropogon rubripinnis (LC) Least concern Venomous Picture Stonefish Synanceia verrucosa (LC) Least concern Venomous Picture Cottidae Family - The Cottidae are a family of fish in the superfamily Cottoidea, the sculpins. It is the largest sculpin family, with about 275 species in 70 genera. They are referred to simply as cottids to avoid confusion with sculpins of other families. Cottids are distributed worldwide, especially in boreal and colder temperate climates.   Astrocottus matsubarae No name Astrocottus matsubarae Not evaluated Harmless   Fourspine sculpin Cottus kazika (LC) Least concern Harmless   Japanese fluvial sculpin Cottus pollux (LC) Least concern Harmless This is a species of freshwater ray-finned fish not actually found in the Seto Sea but is technically found within the Seto Region.  It is endemic to Japan, where it inhabits mountain streams in Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu. Vellitor centropomus No name Vellitor centropomus Not evaluated Harmless   Pseudoblennius zonostigma No name Pseudoblennius zonostigma Not evaluated Harmless   Pseudoblennius cottoides No name Pseudoblennius cottoides (LC) Least concern Harmless   Serranidae Family - Serranidae is a large family of fishes belonging to the order Perciformes. The family contains about 450 species in 65 genera, including the sea basses and the groupers. Representatives of this group live in tropical and subtropical seas worldwide. Convict grouper Epinephelus septemfasciatus Data Deficient Harmless   Hong Kong grouper Epinephelus akaara (EN) Endangered Harmless   Longtooth grouper Epinephelus bruneus (VU) Vulnerable Harmless Picture Speckled blue grouper Epinephelus cyanopodus (LC) Least concern Ciguatera Picture Threespot grouper Epinephelus trimaculatus (LC) Least concern Harmless   Red blotch perchlet Chelidoperca hirundinacea No data Harmless   Labridae Family - The wrasses are a family, Labridae, of marine ray-finned fish, many of which are brightly colored. The family is large and diverse, with over 600 species in 81 genera, which are divided into nine subgroups or tribes. They are efficient carnivores, feeding on a wide range of small invertebrates. Azurio tuskfish Choerodon azurio Data Deficient Harmless   Asian sheepshead wrasse Semicossyphus reticulatus Data Deficient Harmless   Cocktail wrasse Pteragogus flagellifer (LC) Least concern Harmless   Slender wrasse Suezichthys gracilis (LC) Least concern Harmless   Parajulis poecilepterus No name Parajulis poecilepterus (LC) Least concern Harmless   Halichoeres tenuispinnis Halichoeres tenuispinnis (LC) Least concern Harmless   Miscellaneous Families - The following fish are in miscellaneous families and have distinctly different physical characteristics. Three-spined stickleback Gasterosteus aculeatus (LC) Least concern Harmless   Tubenose Aulichthys japonicus (LC) Least concern Harmless   Erisphex pottii Erisphex pottii (LC) Least concern Harmless   Spotty-bellied greenling Hexagrammos agrammus Not evaluated Harmless   Fat greenling Hexagrammos otakii (LC) Least concern Harmless   Longnose poacher Sarritor leptorhynchus Not evaluated Harmless   Tanaka's snailfish Liparis tanakae Not evaluated Harmless   Rabaulichthys suzukii No name Rabaulichthys suzukii (LC) Least concern Harmless   Ara Niphon spinosus Not evaluated Harmless   Sunrise perch Caprodon schlegelii (LC) Least concern Harmless   Shaved sardine same as below ???? Hapalogenys nitens NA NA   Short barbeled velvetchin Hapalogenys nigripinnis Not evaluated Harmless   Broadbanded velvetchin Hapalogenys analis Not evaluated Harmless   Japanese parrotfish Calotomus japonicus (LC) Least concern Harmless   Dictyosoma burgeri No name Dictyosoma burgeri Not evaluated Harmless   Six-lined prickleback Ernogrammus hexagrammus Not evaluated Harmless   Tidepool gunnel Pholis nebulosa Not evaluated Harmless   Uranoscopus japonicus No name Uranoscopus japonicus (LC) Least concern Venomous Picture Spotcheck stargazer Ichthyscopus sannio Not evaluated Harmless   Parapercis ommatura No name Parapercis ommatura Not evaluated Harmless   Grub fish Parapercis sexfasciata Not evaluated Harmless   Pacific sandlance Ammodytes personatus Not evaluated Harmless             Ophidiiformes Order Ophidiiformes is an order of ray-finned fish that includes the cusk-eels (family Ophidiidae), pearlfishes (family Carapidae), viviparous brotulas (family Bythitidae), and others. Members of this order have small heads and long slender bodies. They have either smooth scales or no scales, a long dorsal fin and an anal fin that typically runs into the caudal fin. Goatsbeard brotula Brotula multibarbata (LC) Least concern Harmless             Lophiiformes Order The anglerfish are fish of the teleost order Lophiiformes. They are bony fish named for their characteristic mode of predation, in which a modified luminescent fin ray (the esca or illicium) acts as a lure for other fish. The luminescence comes from symbiotic bacteria, which are thought to be acquired from seawater, that dwell in and around the sea. Blackmouth angler Lophiomus setigerus (LC) Least concern Harmless   Yellow goosefish Lophius litulon Data Deficient Harmless   Striated frogfish Antennarius striatus (LC) Least concern Harmless             Blenniiformes Order Blenny is a common name for many types of fish, including several families of percomorph marine, brackish, and some freshwater fish sharing similar morphology and behavior. Six families are considered "true blennies", grouped under the order Blenniiformes; its members are referred to as blenniiformids. About 151 genera and nearly 900 species have been described within the order. Pomacentridae Family - Pomacentridae is a family of ray-finned fish, comprising the damselfishes and clownfishes. They are primarily marine, while a few species inhabit freshwater and brackish environments. They are noted for their hardy constitutions and territoriality. Many are brightly colored, so they are popular in aquaria. Pearl-spot chromis Chromis notata (LC) Least concern Harmless   Indo-Pacific sergeant Abudefduf vaigiensis (LC) Least concern Ciguatera Picture Neon damselfish Pomacentrus coelestis (LC) Least concern Harmless   Blenniidae Family - Combtooth blennies are blenniiformids; percomorph marine fish of the family Blenniidae, part of the order Blenniiformes. They are the largest family of blennies with around 401 known species in 58 genera. Japanese snake blenny Xiphasia matsubarai Not evaluated Harmless   Yatabe blenny Parablennius yatabei (LC) Least concern Harmless   Omobranchus fasciolatoceps No name Omobranchus fasciolatoceps (LC) Least concern Harmless   Omobranchus elegans No name Omobranchus elegans (LC) Least concern Harmless   Striped poison-fang blenny mimic Petroscirtes breviceps (LC) Least concern Traumatogenic Picture Miscellaneous Family - The following fish are in miscellaneous families and have slightly different physical characteristics. Aspasmichthys ciconiae No name Aspasmichthys ciconiae Not evaluated Harmless   Neoditrema ransonneti Neoditrema ransonneti Not evaluated Harmless   Opistognathus hopkinsi No name Opistognathus hopkinsi Not evaluated Harmless   Carpet eel-blenny Congrogadus subducens (LC) Least concern Harmless   Eel snake blenny Peronedys anguillaris Data Deficient Harmless             Atheriniformes Order The Atheriniformes, also known as the silversides, are an order of ray-finned fishes that includes the Old World silversides and several less-familiar families, including the unusual Phallostethidae. The order includes at least 354 species. They are found worldwide in tropical and temperate marine and freshwater environments. Sumatran silverside Hypoatherina valenciennei Not evaluated Harmless             Beloniformes Order Beloniformes is an order composed of six families (and about 264 species) of freshwater and marine ray-finned fish. With the exception of the Adrianichthyidae, these are streamlined, medium-sized fishes that live close to the surface of the water, feeding on algae, plankton, or smaller animals including other fishes. Most are marine, though a few needlefish and halfbeaks inhabit brackish and fresh waters. Exocoetidae Family - The Exocoetidae are a family of marine ray-finned fish in the order Beloniformes, known colloquially as flying fish or flying cod. While they do not "fly" in the same way a bird does, flying fish can make powerful, self-propelled leaps out of the water where their long wing-like fins enable gliding for considerable distances. Margined flyingfish Cheilopogon cyanopterus (LC) Least concern Harmless   Japanese flyingfish Cypselurus agoo No data Harmless   Cypselurus starksi No name Cypselurus starksi Not evaluated Harmless   Belonidae Family - Needlefish (family Belonidae) or long toms are piscivorous fishes primarily associated with very shallow marine habitats or the surface of the open sea. Some genera include species found in marine, brackish, and freshwater environments, while a few genera are confined to freshwater rivers and streams. Strongylura anastomella No name Strongylura anastomella Not evaluated Harmless   Hound needlefish Tylosurus crocodilus (LC) Least concern Traumatogenic Picture Flat needlefish Ablennes hians (LC) Least concern Harmless   Miscellaneous Family - The following fish are in miscellaneous families and have slightly different physical characteristics. Asian pencil halfbeak Hyporhamphus intermedius Not evaluated Harmless   Halfbeak Hyporhamphus sajori Not evaluated Harmless   Pacific saury Cololabis saira No data Harmless             Gobiiformes Order The Gobiiformes are an order of fish that includes the gobies and their relatives. The order, which was previously considered a suborder of Perciformes, is made up of about 2,211 species that are divided between seven families. Phylogenetic relationships of the Gobiiformes have been elucidated using molecular data. Apogonidae Family - Cardinalfishes are a family, Apogonidae, of ray-finned fishes found in the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans; they are chiefly marine, but some species are found in brackish water and a few are found in fresh water. A handful of species are kept in aquariums and are popular as small, peaceful, and colorful fish. The family includes about 370 species. Broadbanded cardinalfish Ostorhinchus fasciatus (LC) Least concern Harmless   Oblique-banded cardinalfish Apogon semilineatus (LC) Least concern Harmless   Indian perch Jaydia lineata (LC) Least concern Harmless   Gobiidae Family - Gobiidae or gobies is a family of bony fish in the order Gobiiformes, one of the largest fish families comprising more than 2,000 species in more than 200 genera. Most of gobiid fish are relatively small, typically less than 10 cm (3.9 in) in length, and the family includes some of the smallest vertebrates in the world. Parioglossus dotui No name Parioglossus dotui Not evaluated Harmless   Monster shrimpgoby Tomiyamichthys oni (LC) Least concern Harmless   Sand-table dwarfgoby Eviota abax (LC) Least concern Harmless   Glossogobius olivaceus No name Glossogobius olivaceus (LC) Least concern Harmless   Cryptic bearded goby Barbuligobius boehlkei (LC) Least concern Harmless   Silhouettea dotui No name Silhouettea dotui (LC) Least concern Harmless   Sharp-nosed sand goby Favonigobius gymnauchen (LC) Least concern Harmless   Striped goby Acentrogobius pflaumii (LC) Least concern Harmless   Blue-speckled prawn-goby Cryptocentrus caeruleomaculatus (LC) Least concern Harmless   Oxudercidae Family - Oxudercidae is a family of gobies which consists of four subfamilies which were formerly classified under the family Gobiidae. The species in this family have a cosmopolitan distribution in temperate and tropical areas and are found in marine and freshwater environments, typically in inshore, euryhaline areas with silt and sand substrates. Comb goby Paratrypauchen microcephalus (LC) Least concern Harmless   Bearded worm goby Taenioides cirratus Data Deficient Harmless   Ice goby Leucopsarion petersii (LC) Least concern Harmless   Luciogobius pallidus No name Luciogobius pallidus Data Deficient Harmless   Flat-headed goby Luciogobius guttantus (LC) Least concern Harmless   Eutaeniichthys gilli No name Eutaeniichthys gilli Not evaluated Harmless   Apocryptodon punctatus No name Apocryptodon punctatus (LC) Least concern Harmless   Shuttles hoppfish Periophthalmus modestus Not evaluated Harmless   Chaenogobius gulosus No name Chaenogobius gulosus Not evaluated Harmless   Forktongue goby Chaenogobius annularis (LC) Least concern Harmless   Gymnogobius urotaenia No name Gymnogobius urotaenia (LC) Least concern Harmless   Gymnogobius scrobiculatus No name Gymnogobius scrobiculatus (LC) Least concern Harmless   Gymnogobius macrognathos No name Gymnogobius macrognathos (LC) Least concern Harmless   Gymnogobius heptacanthus No name Gymnogobius heptacanthus Not evaluated Harmless   Biringo Chaenogobius castaneus (LC) Least concern Harmless   Amblychaeturichthys sciistius No name Amblychaeturichthys sciistius Not evaluated Harmless   Amblychaeturichthys hexanema No name Amblychaeturichthys hexanema Not evaluated Harmless   Eutaeniichthys gilli No name Eutaeniichthys gilli Not evaluated Harmless   Yellowfin goby Acanthogobius flavimanus (LC) Least concern Harmless   Acanthogobius lactipes Acanthogobius lactipes (LC) Least concern Harmless   Sicyopterus japonicus No name Sicyopterus japonicus Not evaluated Harmless   Masago snubnose goby Pseudogobius masago (LC) Least concern Harmless   Threadfin goby Sicyopterus longifilis (LC) Least concern Harmless   Speckled goby Redigobius bikolanus (LC) Least concern Harmless   Rhinogobius giurinus No name Rhinogobius giurinus (LC) Least concern Harmless   Chameleon goby Tridentiger trigonocephalus (LC) Least concern Harmless   Shimofuri goby Tridentiger bifasciatus (LC) Least concern Harmless   Tridentiger brevispinis No name Tridentiger brevispinis (LC) Least concern Harmless   Dusky tripletooth goby Tridentiger obscurus (LC) Least concern Harmless   Shokihaze goby Tridentiger barbatus Not evaluated Harmless   Eleotridae Family - Eleotridae is a family of fish commonly known as sleeper gobies, with about 34 genera and 180 species. Most species are found in the tropical Indo-Pacific region, but there are also species in subtropical and temperate regions, warmer parts of the Americas and near the Atlantic coast in Africa. Eleotris oxycephala No name Eleotris oxycephala (LC) Least concern Harmless             Tetraodontiformes Order Tetraodontiformes, also known as the Plectognathi, is an order of ray-finned fishes which includes the pufferfishes and related taxa. The Tetraodontiformes are represented by 10 extant families and at around 430 species overall. The majority of the species within this order are marine but a few may be found in freshwater. They are found throughout the world. Monacanthidae Family - The filefish (Monacanthidae) are a diverse family of tropical to subtropical tetraodontiform marine fish, which are also known as foolfish, leatherjackets or shingles. They live in the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans. Filefish are closely related to triggerfish, pufferfish and trunkfish. Whitespotted filefish Cantherhines dumerilii (LC) Least concern Harmless   Unicorn leatherjacket filefish Aluterus monoceros (LC) Least concern Ciguatera Picture Honeycomb filefish Cantherhines pardalis (LC) Least concern Harmless   Whitespotted pygmy filefish Rudarius ercodes (LC) Least concern Harmless   Modest filefish Thamnaconus modestoides (LC) Least concern Harmless   Black scraper Thamnaconus modestus (LC) Least concern Harmless   Threadsail filefish Stephanolepis cirrhifer (LC) Least concern Harmless   Hairfinned leatherjacket Paramonacanthus japonicus (LC) Least concern Harmless   Tetraodontidae Family - Tetraodontidae is a family of primarily marine and estuarine fish of the order Tetraodontiformes. The majority of pufferfish species are toxic, with some among the most poisonous vertebrates in the world. Blackspotted puffer Arothron nigropunctatus (LC) Least concern Poisonous Picture Brown-lined puffer Canthigaster rivulata (LC) Least concern Venomous Picture Takifugu pardalis No name Takifugu pardalis (LC) Least concern Poisonous Picture Takifugu chrysops No name Takifugu chrysops (LC) Least concern Poisonous Picture Takifugu snyderi No name Takifugu snyderi (LC) Least concern Poisonous Picture Purple puffer Takifugu vermicularis (NT) Near Threatened Poisonous Picture Takifugu porphyreus Takifugu porphyreus (LC) Least concern Poisonous Picture Takifugu poecilonotus No name Takifugu poecilonotus (LC) Least concern Poisonous Picture Yellowfin pufferfish Takifugu xanthopterus (LC) Least concern Poisonous Picture Grass puffer Takifugu niphobles (LC) Least concern Poisonous Picture Stellate puffer Arothron stellatus (LC) Least concern Poisonous Picture Japanese pufferfish Takifugu rubripes (NT) Near Threatened Poisonous Picture White-spotted puffer Arothron hispidus (LC) Least concern Poisonous Picture Lunartail puffer Lagocephalus lunaris (LC) Least concern Poisonous Picture Lagocephalus gloveri No name Lagocephalus gloveri Data Deficient Poisonous Picture Lagocephalus wheeleri No name Lagocephalus wheeleri Not evaluated Harmless   Miscellaneous Families - The following fish are in miscellaneous families and have distinctly different physical characteristics. Ocean sunfish Mola mola (VU) Vulnerable Poisonous Picture Short-nosed tripodfish Triacanthus biaculeatus (LC) Least concern Harmless   Rough triggerfish Canthidermis maculata (LC) Least concern Ciguatera Picture Longhorn cowfish Lactoria cornuta (LC) Least concern Ciguatera Picture Bluespotted boxfish Ostracion immaculatum (LC) Least concern Harmless   Longspined porcupinefish Diodon holocanthus (LC) Least concern Ciguatera Picture           Lampriformes Order Lampriformes is an order of ray-finned fish. Members are collectively called lamprids (which is more properly used for the Lampridae) or lampriforms, and unite such open-ocean and partially deep-sea Teleostei as the crestfishes, oarfish, opahs, and ribbonfishes. Oarfish Regalecus russellii (LC) Least concern Harmless             Beryciformes Order The Beryciformes are a poorly-understood order of carnivorous ray-finned fishes consisting of 7 families, 30 genera, and 161 species. They feed on small fish and invertebrates. Beyond this, little is known about the biology of most member species because of their nocturnal habits and deepwater habitats. Splendid alfonsino Beryx splendens (LC) Least concern Harmless   Velvet whalefish Barbourisia rufa (LC) Least concern Harmless   Swallow-tail Centroberyx lineatus (LC) Least concern Harmless             Trachichthyiformes Order The Trachichthyiformes are an order of ray-finned fishes in the superorder Acanthopterygii. Fossils of this group date back to the Cenomanian. Pinecone fish Monocentris japonica (LC) Least concern Harmless             Holocentriformes Order Holocentridae is a family of ray-finned fish, the only family of the suborder Holocentroidei and the only family of the order Holocentriformes. The members of the subfamily Holocentrinae are typically known as squirrelfish, while the members of Myripristinae typically are known as soldierfish. Samurai squirrelfish Sargocentron ittodai (LC) Least concern Venomous Picture Japanese soldierfish Ostichthys japonicus (LC) Least concern Harmless             Ateleopodiformes Order The jellynose fishes or tadpole fishes are the small order Ateleopodiformes. This group of ray-finned fish is monotypic, containing a single family Ateleopodidae. It has about a dozen species in four genera, but these enigmatic fishes are in need of taxonomic revision. Pacific jellynose fish Ateleopus japonicus (LC) Least concern Harmless             Zeiformes Order The Zeiformes are a small order of exclusively marine ray-finned fishes most notable for the dories, a group of common food fish. The order consists of about 33 species in six extant families, mostly deep-sea types. John Dory Zeus faber Data Deficient Harmless             Syngnathiformes Order The Syngnathiformes are an order of ray-finned fishes that includes the leafy seadragons, sea moths, trumpetfishes and seahorses, among others. These fishes have generally elongate, narrow bodies surrounded by a series of bony rings, with small, tubular mouths. Syngnathidae Family - The Syngnathidae is a family of fish which includes seahorses, pipefishes, and seadragons. Syngnathids are found in temperate and tropical seas across the world. Most species inhabit shallow, coastal waters, but a few are known from the open ocean, especially in association with sargassum mats. Seaweed pipefish Syngnathus schlegeli (LC) Least concern Harmless   Beady pipefish Hippichthys penicillus (LC) Least concern Harmless   Crested pipefish Trachyrhamphus serratus Data Deficient Harmless   Japanese seahorse Hippocampus mohnikei (VU) Vulnerable Harmless Picture Crowned seahorse Hippocampus coronatus Data Deficient Harmless   Carangidae Family - The goatfishes are ray-finned fish of the family Mullidae. Goatfish are characterized by two chin barbels (or goatee), which contain chemosensory organs and are used to probe the sand or holes in the reef for food. Their bodies are deep and elongated, with forked tails and widely separated dorsal fins. Freckled goatfish Upeneus tragula (LC) Least concern Harmless   Japanese goatfish Upeneus japonicus Not evaluated Harmless   Yellowfin goatfish Mulloidichthys vanicolensis (LC) Least concern Harmless   Indian goatfish Parupeneus indicus (LC) Least concern Harmless   Miscellaneous Families - The following fish are in miscellaneous families and have distinctly different physical characteristics. Bluespotted cornetfish Fistularia commersonii (LC) Least concern Ciguatera Picture Red cornetfish Fistularia petimba (LC) Least concern Harmless   Longspine snipefish Macroramphosus scolopax (LC) Least concern Harmless   Oriental flying gurnard Dactyloptena orientalis (LC) Least concern Harmless             Scorpaeniformes Order The Scorpaeniformes are a diverse order of ray-finned fish, including the lionfishes and sculpins, but have also been called the Scleroparei. It is one of the five largest orders of bony fishes by number of species, with over 1,320. Spiny red gurnard Chelidonichthys spinosus Not evaluated Harmless   Lepidotrigla guentheri No name Lepidotrigla guentheri Not evaluated Harmless   Lepidotrigla microptera No Name Lepidotrigla microptera Not evaluated Harmless   Bembras japonica No name Bembras japonica Not evaluated Harmless   Crocodile flathead Cociella crocodilus Not evaluated Harmless   Insidiator Suggrundus meerdervoortii Not evaluated Harmless   Midget flathead Onigocia spinosa (LC) Least concern Harmless   Hoplichthys gilberti No name Hoplichthys gilberti Not evaluated Harmless             Carangiformes Order Carangiformes is an order of ray-finned fishes that is part of a sister clade to the Ovalentaria, the other orders in the clade being the Synbranchiformes, Anabantiformes, Istiophoriformes, and Pleuronectiformes. Carangidae Family - The Carangidae are a family of ray-finned fish that includes the jacks, pompanos, jack mackerels, runners, trevallies, and scads. It is the largest of the six families included within the order Carangiformes. They are marine fishes found in the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans. Japanese amberjack Seriola quinqueradiata (LC) Least concern Harmless Yellowtail. Yellowtail amberjack Seriola lalandi (LC) Least concern Harmless   Greater amberjack Seriola dumerili (LC) Least concern Ciguatera Picture Small spotted dart Trachinotus baillonii (LC) Least concern Harmless   Japanese jack mackerel Trachurus japonicus (NT) Near Threatened Harmless Picture Japanese scad Decapterus maruadsi (LC) Least concern Harmless   Amberstripe scad Decapterus muroadsi (LC) Least concern Harmless   Bigeye scad Selar crumenophthalmus (LC) Least concern Ciguatera Picture Bigeye trevally Caranx sexfasciatus (LC) Least concern Ciguatera Picture Giant trevally Caranx ignobilis (LC) Least concern Ciguatera Picture African pompano Alectis ciliaris (LC) Least concern Ciguatera Picture Apparently  a few of these fish were found around Japan. Whitetongue jack Uraspis helvola (LC) Least concern Harmless   White trevally Pseudocaranx dentex (LC) Least concern Harmless   Whitefin trevally Kaiwarinus equula (LC) Least concern Harmless   Sphyraenidae Family - A barracuda is a large, predatory, ray-finned, saltwater fish of the genus Sphyraena. It is found in tropical and subtropical oceans worldwide. Barracudas reside near the top of the water and near coral reefs and sea grasses. Great barracuda Sphyraena barracuda (LC) Least concern Traumatogenic Picture Red barracuda Sphyraena pinguis (LC) Least concern Harmless   Japanese barracuda Sphyraena japonica Not evaluated Harmless   Istiophoridae Family - Marlins are fish from the family Istiophoridae, which includes 11 species. Marlins have elongated bodies, a spear-like snout or bill, and a long, rigid dorsal fin which extends forward to form a crest. Marlins are among the fastest marine swimmers. Indo-Pacific sailfish Istiophorus platypterus (VU) Vulnerable Harmless Picture Black marlin Istiompax indica Data Deficient Harmless   Striped marlin Kajikia audax (LC) Least concern Harmless   Indo-Pacific blue marlin Makaira mazara Not evaluated Harmless   Bothidae Family - Bothidae or lefteye flounders are a family of flounders. They are called "lefteye flounders" because most species lie on the sea bottom on their right sides, with both eyes on their left sides. The family is also distinguished by the presence of spines on the snout and near the eyes. Indo-Pacific oval flounder Bothus myriaster (LC) Least concern Harmless   Kobe flounder Crossorhombus kobensis (LC) Least concern Harmless   Largescale flounder Engyprosopon grandisquama (LC) Least concern Harmless   Dwarf lefteye flounder Arnoglossus tenuis (LC) Least concern Harmless   Paralichthyidae Family - Large-tooth flounders or sand flounders are a family, Paralichthyidae, of flounders. The family contains 14 genera with a total of about 110 species. They lie on the sea bed on their right side; both eyes are always on the left side of the head. Bastard halibut Paralichthys olivaceus Not evaluated Harmless   Tarphops oligolepis No name Tarphops oligolepis (LC) Least concern Harmless   Fivespot flounder Pseudorhombus pentophthalmus (LC) Least concern Harmless   Cinnamon flounder Pseudorhombus cinnamoneus (LC) Least concern Harmless   Javan flounder Pseudorhombus javanicus (LC) Least concern Harmless   Largetooth flounder Pseudorhombus arsius (LC) Least concern Harmless   Summer flounder Paralichthys dentatus (LC) Least concern No information   Pleuronectidae Family - Pleuronectidae, also known as righteye flounders, are a family of flounders. They are called "righteye flounders" because most species lie on the sea bottom on their left sides, with both eyes on their right sides. Ridged-eye flounder Pleuronichthys cornutus Data Deficient Harmless   Spotted halibut Verasper variegatus (VU) Vulnerable Harmless Picture Barfin flounder Verasper moseri (VU) Vulnerable Harmless Picture Shotted halibut Eopsetta grigorjewi (VU) Vulnerable Harmless Picture Willowy flounder Glyptocephalus kitaharae (NT) Near Threatened Harmless Picture Stone flounder Platichthys bicoloratus (VU) Vulnerable Harmless Picture Yellow striped flounder Pseudopleuronectes herzensteini (LC) Least concern Harmless   Marbled flounder Pleuronectes yokohamae (NT) Near Threatened Harmless Picture Soleidae Family - The true soles are a family, Soleidae, of flatfishes. It includes saltwater and brackish water species in the East Atlantic, Indian Ocean, and West and Central Pacific Ocean. Freshwater species are found in Africa, southern Asia, New Guinea, and Australia. Bamboo sole Heteromycteris japonicus (LC) Least concern Harmless   Wavyband sole Zebrias japonica (LC) Least concern Harmless   Zebra sole Zebrias zebra Not evaluated Harmless   Annular sole Brachirus annularis Not evaluated Harmless   Cynoglossidae Family - Tonguefishes are flatfish in the family Cynoglossidae. They are distinguished by the presence of a long hook on the snout overhanging the mouth, and the absence of pectoral fins. Their eyes are both on the left side of their bodies, which also lack a pelvic fin. This family has three genera with a total of more than 140 species. Black cow-tongue Paraplagusia japonica (LC) Least concern Harmless   Cynoglossus robustus No name Cynoglossus robustus (LC) Least concern Harmless   Three-lined tongue sole Cynoglossus abbreviatus Data Deficient Harmless   Red tonguesole Cynoglossus joyneri (LC) Least concern Harmless   Genko sole Cynoglossus interruptus (LC) Least concern Harmless   Miscellaneous Families - The following fish are in miscellaneous families and have distinctly different physical characteristics. Swordfish Xiphias gladius (NT) Near Threatened No data Picture Japanese lates Lates japonicus (VU) Vulnerable Harmless Picture Cobia Rachycentron canadum (LC) Least concern Harmless   Common dolphinfish Coryphaena hippurus (LC) Least concern Ciguatera Picture Moonfish Mene maculata Not evaluated Harmless   Pacific rudderfish Psenopsis anomala (LC) Least concern Harmless   Silver pomfret Pampus argenteus Not evaluated Harmless   Man-of-war fish Nomeus gronovii (LC) Least concern Harmless   Remora Remora remora (LC) Least concern Harmless   Branched ray flounder Citharoides macrolepidotus (LC) Least concern Harmless   Olive wide-eyed flounder Engyprosopon maldivense (LC) Least concern Harmless             Acanthuriformes Order Acanthuriformes is an order of ray-finned fishes, part of the Percomorpha clade. Some authorities place the fishes in the order within the Acanthuriformes in the suborders Acanthuroidea and Percoidea of the order Perciformes. Lutjanidae Family - Lutjanidae or snappers are a family of perciform fish, mainly marine, but with some members inhabiting estuaries, feeding in fresh water. The family includes about 113 species. Some are important food fish. One of the best known is the red snapper. Five-lined snapper Lutjanus quinquelineatus (LC) Least concern Harmless   Emperor red snapper Lutjanus sebae (LC) Least concern Ciguatera Picture Blacktail snapper Lutjanus fulvus (LC) Least concern Ciguatera Picture Russell's snapper Lutjanus russellii (LC) Least concern Harmless   Spotstripe snapper Lutjanus ophuysenii Not evaluated Harmless   Star snapper Lutjanus stellatus Not evaluated Harmless   Mangrove red snapper Lutjanus argentimaculatus (LC) Least concern Ciguatera Picture Humpback red snapper Lutjanus gibbus (LC) Least concern Ciguatera Picture Malabar blood snapper Lutjanus malabaricus (LC) Least concern Harmless   Haemulidae Family - Haemulidae is a family of fishes in the order Perciformes known commonly as grunts. It is made up of the two subfamilies Haemulinae (grunters) and Plectorhynchinae (sweetlips), which in turn contain about 133 species in 19 genera. These fish are found in tropical fresh, brackish, and salt waters around the world. Chicken grunt Parapristipoma trilineatum Not evaluated Harmless   Painted sweetlips Diagramma pictum Not evaluated Ciguatera Picture Crescent sweetlips Plectorhinchus cinctus (LC) Least concern Harmless   Sparidae Family - Sparidae is a family of ray-finned fishes belonging to the order Spariformes, the seabreams and porgies, although they were traditionally classified in the order Perciformes. They are found in shallow temperate and tropical waters around the world and are demersal carnivores. Goldlined seabream Rhabdosargus sarba (LC) Least concern Harmless   Blackhead seabream Acanthopagrus schlegelii (LC) Least concern Harmless   Yellowfin seabream Acanthopagrus latus Data Deficient Harmless   Red sea bream Pagrus major (LC) Least concern Harmless   Yellowback seabream Evynnis tumifrons (LC) Least concern Harmless   Sciaenidae Family - Sciaenidae is a family of ray-finned fishes belonging to the order Acanthuriformes. They are commonly called drums or croakers in reference to the repetitive throbbing or drumming sounds they make. The family consists of about 293 to 298 species in about 66 or 67 genera. Yellow drum Nibea albiflora (LC) Least concern Harmless   Honnibe croaker Nibea mitsukurii (LC) Least concern Harmless   Japanese meagre Argyrosomus japonicus (EN) Endangered Harmless Picture Blackmouth croaker Atrobucca nibe (LC) Least concern Harmless   Silver croaker Pennahia argentata (LC) Least concern Harmless   Chaetodontidae Family - The butterflyfish are a group of conspicuous tropical marine fish of the family Chaetodontidae; the bannerfish and coralfish are also included in this group. The approximately 129 species in 12 genera are found mostly on the reefs of the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans. False moorish idol Heniochus diphreutes (LC) Least concern Harmless   Brown-banded butterflyfish Roa modesta (LC) Least concern Harmless   Raccoon butterflyfish Chaetodon lunula (LC) Least concern Harmless   Japanese butterflyfish Chaetodon nippon (LC) Least concern Harmless   Hongkong butterflyfish Chaetodon wiebeli (LC) Least concern Harmless   Oval butterflyfish Chaetodon lunulatus (LC) Least concern Harmless   Acanthuridae Family - Acanthuridae are a family of ray-finned fish which includes surgeonfishes, tangs, and unicornfishes. The family includes about 86 extant species of marine fish living in tropical seas, usually around coral reefs. Many of the species are brightly colored and popular in aquaria. Scalpel sawtail Prionurus scalprum Data Deficient Venomous Picture Bluespine unicornfish Naso unicornis (LC) Least concern Ciguatera Picture Elongate surgeonfish Acanthurus mata (LC) Least concern Traumatogenic Picture Bluelined surgeon Acanthurus nubilus (LC) Least concern Harmless   Mimic surgeonfish Acanthurus pyroferus (LC) Least concern Harmless   Japan surgeonfish Acanthurus japonicus (LC) Least concern Harmless   Miscellaneous Families - The following fish are in miscellaneous families and have distinctly different physical characteristics. Red bigeye Priacanthus macracanthus (LC) Least concern Harmless   Japanese sillago Sillago japonica (LC) Least concern Harmless   Small-scale sillago Sillago parvisquamis (EN) Endangered Harmless Picture Branchiostegus albus No name Branchiostegus albus Not evaluated Harmless   Horsehead tilefish Branchiostegus japonicus (LC) Least concern Harmless   Equulites rivulatus No name Equulites rivulatus Not evaluated Harmless   Tripletail Lobotes surinamensis (LC) Least concern Harmless   Common silver-biddy Gerres oyena (LC) Least concern Harmless   Golden threadfin bream Nemipterus virgatus (VU) Vulnerable Harmless Picture Grey large-eye bream Gymnocranius griseus (LC) Least concern Harmless   Chinese emperor Lethrinus haematopterus Data Deficient Harmless   Spotted sicklefish Drepane punctata (LC) Least concern Harmless   Emperor angelfish Pomacanthus imperator (LC) Least concern Harmless   Red-spotted bandfish Acanthocepola krusensternii Not evaluated Harmless   Threadfin butterflyfish Chaetodon auriga (LC) Least concern Poisonous Picture Mottled spinefoot Siganus fuscescens (LC) Least concern Venomous Picture Moorish idol Zanclus cornutus (LC) Least concern Harmless             Centrarchiformes Order Centrarchiformes is an order of ray-finned fish, previously included amongst the perciformes. This order first appeared about 55.8 million years ago in the Eocene Era, and is composed primarily of omnivores. Many centrarchiforms look essentially perch-like, featuring a stocky build and a spine-bearing dorsal fin, and range in size from 2.5 cm in length, to 1.8 meters. Jarbua terapon Terapon jarbua (LC) Least concern Harmless   Rhynchopelates oxyrhynchus No name Rhynchopelates oxyrhynchus Not evaluated Harmless   Largescale blackfish Girella punctata Not evaluated Harmless   Girella leonina No name Girella leonina Not evaluated Harmless   Stripey Microcanthus strigatus (LC) Least concern Harmless   Barred knifejaw Oplegnathus fasciatus (LC) Least concern Harmless   Spotted knifejaw Oplegnathus punctatus Not evaluated Harmless   Spottedtail morwong Goniistius zonatus (LC) Least concern Harmless             Mugiliformes Order The mullets or grey mullets are a family (Mugilidae) of ray-finned fish found worldwide in coastal temperate and tropical waters, and some species in fresh water. Mullets have served as an important source of food in Mediterranean Europe since Roman times. The family includes about 78 species in 26 genera. Mugilidae Family - The following fish are all in the Mugilidae family. Flathead grey mullet Mugil cephalus (LC) Least concern Harmless   Eastern keelback mullet Planiliza affinis Not evaluated Harmless   So-iuy mullet Planiliza haematocheilus Not evaluated Harmless     Callionymiformes Order Callionymiformes is an order of bony fish containing two families, the dragonets Callionymidae and the Draconettidae. In some taxonomies these families make up the suborder Callionymoidei of the wider grouping known as Perciformes. Callionymidae Family - Dragonets are small percomorph marine fish of the diverse family Callionymidae found mainly in the tropical waters of the western Indo-Pacific. Japanese longtail dragonet Callionymus japonicus (LC) Least concern Harmless   Valenciennes' dragonet Repomucenus valenciennei Not evaluated Harmless   Horn dragonet Callionymus curvicornis Not evaluated Harmless   Whitespotted dragonet Callionymus beniteguri Not evaluated Harmless   Japanese ornate dragonet Repomucenus ornatipinnis Not evaluated Harmless             Scombriformes Order Scombriformes, also known as Pelagia and Pelagiaria, is an order of ray-finned fish within the clade Percomorpha. It contains 287 extant species in 16 families, most of which were previously classified under the suborders Scombroidei and Stromateoidei of the order Perciformes. Scombridae Family - The mackerel, tuna, and bonito family, Scombridae, includes many of the most important and familiar food fishes. The family consists of 51 species in 15 genera and two subfamilies. Chub mackerel Scomber japonicus (LC) Least concern Harmless   Indian mackerel Rastrelliger kanagurta (LC) Least concern Harmless   Indo-Pacific king mackerel Scomberomorus guttatus Data Deficient Harmless   Japanese Spanish mackerel Scomberomorus niphonius (NT) Near Threatened Harmless Picture Blue mackerel Scomber australasicus (LC) Least concern Harmless   Narrow-barred Spanish mackerel Scomberomorus commerson (NT) Near Threatened Ciguatera Picture Bullet tuna Auxis rochei (LC) Least concern Harmless   Striped bonito Sarda orientalis (LC) Least concern Harmless   Albacore Thunnus alalunga (LC) Least concern Harmless   Pacific bluefin tuna Thunnus orientalis (NT) Near Threatened Harmless Picture Yellowfin tuna Thunnus albacares (LC) Least concern Harmless   Longtail tuna Thunnus tonggol Data Deficient Harmless   Miscellaneous Families - The following fish are in miscellaneous families. Ragfish Icosteus aenigmaticus Not evaluated Harmless   Trichiurus japonicus No information Trichiurus japonicus Not evaluated Harmless   Largehead hairtail Trichiurus lepturus (LC) Least concern Harmless             Additional Reading Seto Sea Fish Seto Inland Sea Fisheries Development Council: Fish of the Seto Inland Sea (Japanese)