Photo: E-190 / CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
Oplegnathus fasciatus
Rock Bream
Saltwater
About this species
A striking black-and-white barred fish of rocky Korean and Japanese coasts, armed with a fused, beak-like set of teeth. It grazes barnacles, urchins and shellfish off submerged rocks and drop-offs. Tough baits like sea urchin and crab on stout rigs are the classic approach.
Season
123456789101112
Depth
5 – 50 m
Habitat Spots
ReefNearshoreSurf
Fishing Methods
BottomFloat
Bait & Rig
Tough baits such as sea urchin, salted crab, turban shell or sandworm on stout rigs fished around exposed rocky shores.
Edibility & Taste
Superb; the firm, clean white flesh is highly prized for sashimi and salt-grilling in Korea and Japan.
Similar Species
Knifejaw (Oplegnathus punctatus) lacks the bold black-and-white bars; both species lose their bars with age, but rock bream retains them longer.
Record Weight
9 kg