Microcanthus strigatus Coloring Pages

Yellow and Black Tiger Colors! What is Microcanthus strigatus?

Microcanthus strigatus is a super stylish fish with bright yellow and black stripes that really stand out in the sea! It is super popular at aquariums and looks just like a fancy tropical fish. But it is actually a familiar ocean friend that swims near everyday rocks and piers in Japan, too.

A Funny Name Origin: A Palanquin Bearer's Shoulders?!

Microcanthus strigatus has a fun secret behind its Japanese name that connects to long-ago Japanese history. It has a cool body shape that curves way up from behind its head to its back. This shape looks just like the strong shoulders of "kago-kaki," the people who carried passengers in wooden palanquins on their shoulders a very long time ago!

It Looks Just Like a Butterflyfish, But... It Has Its Very Own Family!

It looks almost identical to butterflyfish that swim in southern coral reefs, but it is actually in a totally different group. People used to put them in the same group. But because they grow up differently when they are babies, it is now known as a special fish. It is the only single species in its own unique family!

Where Does It Live? A Mystery Around the World!

It lives in warm, rocky areas around the world, like the southern seas of Japan, Australia, and Hawaii. Here is a funny mystery that surprises scientists everywhere: even though lots of them live in temperate seas like Japan and Australia, almost none live in the super hot tropical seas near the equator between them!

Idols of the Shallow Sea! Babies Found in Tide Pools

Grown-up Microcanthus strigatus live in deeper water. But from spring to summer, tiny newborn babies and young fish come to shallow tide pools along the beach. Their yellow bodies shine bright even when you look from above the water! You can catch them easily with a net, so they are super popular fish to start keeping in a home tank.

Anglers Call It an "Extra Catch," But... It Is Secretly Super Yummy!

When you go sea fishing, Microcanthus strigatus often gets hooked on your line. Fishers sometimes call it an "extra catch" because it is not the main fish they are looking for. But it is so unbelievably yummy that people say you miss out if you do not take it home!

• Best Season: From autumn to winter, its body stores up the best tasty fat.

• How Does It Taste?: It has neat white meat with no strong smell. The rich, sweet flavor around its skin tastes amazing.

• Best Ways to Eat: Big ones taste best as sashimi. Medium ones taste great grilled whole with salt or simmered in sauce. The meat comes off the bone easily, and yummy juice bursts out!

How to Choose Colors: Clear and Pretty Stripes

Body colors: Here are color picks to make the yellow and black stripes look cool. They are the best part of Microcanthus strigatus!

• Bright Yellow: First, color the whole body softly with bright yellow or lemon yellow. Leave the white tummy area plain.

• Dark Stripes: Use deep black or dark navy blue to color the 5 thick stripes running sideways across the body. Make them bold! The strong yellow and black stripes will make your fish look super cool, just like an aquarium star!

High Back and White Tummy Shades

Microcanthus strigatus has a tall, round body. Here is how to make it look 3D and real!

• Leave the Tummy White: Do not color the tummy area. Just leave it as white paper.

• Soft Shadows for Roundness: Gently add light gray or light blue around the top of the back and the bottom edge of the tummy. This simple trick makes the yellow middle pop out, so your fish looks nice and round!

Spiky Back Fins and Clear Side Fins

Microcanthus strigatus has sharp, spiky fins lined up on its back!

• Make Spikes Sharp: Sharpen your colored pencil. Trace the spiky back fins sharply using light yellow or gold.

• Draw Gentle Lines: Use light blue to trace the fine lines on the side and tail fins. Leave the spaces between them white. This makes the fins look see-through, as if swimming in clear water!

Tips to Make Big Shiny Eyes Look Real

This is the most important step to bring your Microcanthus strigatus to life!

• Big Round Eyes: Color the middle of the eye firmly with a black pencil. Leave a tiny white dot uncolored inside the black part to make a bright shine.

• Eye Rim Glow: Color the outer ring of the eye with bright yellow. This makes the eye look wet and sparkly under the sea. It will look super cute and lively!

Create a Fresh Ocean World!

Draw a fun underwater scene for your Microcanthus strigatus to swim in!

• Emerald Ocean: Use light blue or emerald green pencils. Hold them flat and color the empty white space softly.

• Add Ocean Things: Draw bumpy rocks at the bottom using brown or gray. Add pink coral reefs or lots of round bubbles floating around! Use your great imagination and enjoy coloring. Make your own special fish art today!

What does "Kagokaki" mean in its name?

If you look closely at the back of a Microcanthus strigatus, the area behind its head bulges up high. In old Japan, people called "Kagokaki" carried human-litter baskets on their strong shoulders. The fish got its unique name because its back looks just like those strong shoulders!

It looks like a tropical fish, but it tastes super delicious!

With its clear yellow and black pattern, it looks like a pet fish from southern seas. But you can catch it in many parts of Japan, and it tastes amazing as sashimi or grilled fish. It is popular in aquariums, and fishermen love it as a hidden, high-class yummy fish.

The secret rule for "vertical and horizontal" stripes

When it swims, the stripes look horizontal. But in the fish world, there is a rule to decide stripes by holding the fish head-up! When you stand Microcanthus strigatus up, the stripes run top to bottom. So, experts say it has vertical stripes.

You can meet them in tide pools!

In early summer, baby Microcanthus strigatus come to tide pools on rocky beaches. They swim around happily in small groups in shallow pools left by the ocean. They move very fast, but even kids can find them easily!