Kobudai in Kitakoura 北小浦のコブダイ

Kobudai are symbolic fish of Sado-island. Kitakoura is a well-known diving area where visitors can see Kobudai on Sado-island. I have been lucky enough to see Kobudai twice this summer. 

Kobudai are often called sea bream with bumps on their foreheads, but they actually belong to wrasse family. Diving instructors managed to train the Kobudai in Kitakoura to accept food from humans,  the fish come close enough for divers to touch. 

Kobudai change their appearance dramatically over their lifetimes. When they are young, their bodies are orange in color like tropical fish, they are all female and don’t have the characteristic forehead bumps. After adulthood, only the strongest fish who can win fights become bigger and male. The bumps are a result of fighting. Kobudai are another example of the many wonders in nature!