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Pagrus major ;Red seabream; ja:マダイ bought at a fish shop in Hyogo, Japan

Red seabream

A prized marine fish of the Western Pacific with deep cultural roots in Japan.

Photo: Miya, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The red seabream is a large marine fish found in the Northwest Pacific. It holds significant culinary and cultural value in Japan, Korea, and Taiwan. Scientists first described the species in 1843. Adults live near reef bottoms and can reach lengths of 120 cm.

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  • Can grow up to 120 cm in length
  • Spawns between February and August
  • Symbol of good luck in Japanese culture
  • Lives near reef bottoms at 30–200 m depth
  • Average lifespan is 20 to 40 years

What it is

This ray-finned fish belongs to the seabream and porgy family. It has an oblong body that is flattened from side to side. The jaws push slightly forward, holding sharp fangs and molars. Scales show pinkish red or purplish brown hues with blue spots. Young fish display five stripes that fade as they mature. Pectoral fins are long and slender. The tail fin is large and split into two lobes. Dorsal and anal fins contain both spines and soft rays for support and movement.

Where it lives

The species inhabits the Northwest Pacific Ocean. Its range extends from the northeastern South China Sea northward to Japan. The Philippines are excluded from this distribution. Adult fish prefer the bottom areas of reefs. They dwell at depths between 30 and 200 meters. Juveniles stay in shallower waters. This marine fish thrives in subtropical conditions. It moves between deeper and shallower zones during its life cycle.

How it lives

Adults often live alone near the sea floor. Their diet changes with age and seasons. Young fish eat small prey like brittle stars. As they grow, they target crabs and mantis shrimps. Cephalopods form the main part of their yearly diet. Crabs are consumed mostly in summer and autumn. Fully grown individuals also hunt other fish. They share their habitat with various crustaceans and sea urchins.

Breeding and life cycle

Spawning occurs from February to August. Fish migrate from deep water to shallow areas to reproduce. Eggs and juveniles float freely in the ocean currents. Parents do not protect the young, leaving them vulnerable to predators. Juveniles have a genetic code that guides habitat choice. This preference helps them find suitable microhabitats. The trait is active only for the first 30 days. The average lifespan ranges from 20 to 40 years.

Red seabream
A drawing made by EveryFish from what this page says. It is a diagram, not a picture of the real fish.

Fish and people

In Japan, it is called madai and symbolises good fortune. People serve it at weddings and New Year celebrations. The red colour is believed to ward off evil spirits. Politicians and sumo wrestlers pose with it after victories. It is also popular in Korea and Taiwan. Chefs grill, bake, or serve it raw as sashimi. The fish inspires idioms about value and profit. Street food like taiyaki mimics its shape. Bones from the fish are kept as lucky charms.

Pl. IV Japanese species of the genus Penaeus
Pl. IV Japanese species of the genus Penaeus. Photo: Kamakichi Kishinouye, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Red sea bream ( Pagrus major ) sold at a fish store in Ueno, Japan
Red sea bream ( Pagrus major ) sold at a fish store in Ueno, Japan. Photo: malias, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Sea bream, supplies for New Year's Day celebrated in Japan.
Sea bream, supplies for New Year's Day celebrated in Japan.. Photo: clvs7, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
" Sea bream broiled with salt " at Hotel Baishokaku in Nagasaki , Nagasaki prefecture , Japan .
" Sea bream broiled with salt " at Hotel Baishokaku in Nagasaki , Nagasaki prefecture , Japan .. Photo: 663highland, CC BY 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons

Questions people ask about Red seabream

Where does the red seabream live?

It is found in the Northwest Pacific Ocean. The range goes from the South China Sea to Japan. Adults live near reef bottoms at depths of 30 to 200 meters.

Why is this fish important in Japan?

It is considered a luxury food and a symbol of good fortune. People eat it during festivals and weddings. The red colour is thought to bring luck and ward off evil.

What does the red seabream eat?

Its diet includes cephalopods, crabs, and mantis shrimps. Juveniles eat smaller prey like brittle stars. Adults also consume other fish and sea urchins depending on the season.

Good reading and sources

Where this page comes from

The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Pagrus major", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). EveryFish rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.

It may contain mistakes, and figures change over time. Nothing here is investment or buying advice. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-11-15.

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Photo credits on this page

The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.

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