Latin name

Acanthopagrus latus

Other name

Grey bream, Houttuyn's yellowfin seabream, Japanese bream or yellow-finned black porgy.

Identification

Yellowfin seabream have a deep body with a standard length twice its depth. The dorsal part of the head has a prominent bulge around the eyes. 

Features of fish fins

Tich fish have 10 spines and 10 or 11 soft rays supporting the dorsal fin, and 3 spines and 8 or 9 soft rays supporting the anal fin.

Fish colouring

The overall coloration of the yellowfin seabream is light gray to whitish, darker on the upper body and usually yellowish on the belly. There are golden veins along the horizontal scale rows and a fuzzy dark spot on the anterior lateral line, a dark band between the eyes, and the gill cover has a dark edge. The dorsal fin is grayish to hyaline, the pelvic and anal fins are yellowish, but may have blackish areas on the webbing between the fin rays. Caudal fin with dark edge and yellowish tinge to the lower lobe.

Distribution

Occurs in the East Asian shelf region in the western Pacific Ocean from Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu in Japan, although it is absent from the Ryukyu and Ogasawara Islands and the Sea of Japan, as well as South Korea, Taiwan, and along the coast of China from Shanghai to Hui in Vietnam. 

Habitat

A subtropical marine bottom dweller. Inhabits warm shallow and coastal waters, found at depths down to 50 m (160 ft).

Size

The maximum published length of this species is 40 cm (16 inches). Maximum published weight is 1.5 kg.

Behavior

This species inhabits warm shallow and coastal waters, often entering estuaries and river mouths.

Food and feeding habits

Feeds in small groups on mudflats, mainly on benthic invertebrates such as echinoderms, molluscs, worms and crustaceans. 

Reproduction

Some individuals are protogynous hermaphrodites, but some may be gonochoristic. Spawning occurs in late winter off southern China and in October off Taiwan. After hatching, the larvae migrate to estuaries.

Fishing

This fish is mainly harvested by artisanal fishermen and is sold fresh in markets. Attempts have been made in Taiwan to cultivate this species artificially. Larvae and juveniles have also been collected from estuaries for use in habitat restocking and aquaculture.

Relationship with a person

Harmless. This species is used in traditional Chinese medicine.