Abstract
Distribution and occurrence patterns of the Japanese centropomid fish, Lates japonicus, were examined on the basis of 299 records (estuarine 86.4%; sea 13.6%), compiled from 1979 to 1992, inclusive. Lates japonicus was restricted to the Pacific coast of southern Japan, but was nevertheless absent from the Nansei and Ryukyu islands and the East China and Seto Inland seas. Daily sea water temperature changes from 1987 to 1991 at Kumanoe, Nobeoka, Miyazaki Prefecture, were similar to the estuarine occurrence pattern of the species, being relatively high in late spring to autumn, June to November. In contrast, peak monthly catches in small set nets (masu-ami) occurred from autumn to winter (November to February).
