Japanese grenadier anchovy
📖 Overview
Occurs in coastal waters, estuaries and reaching up to middle parts of rivers, apparently able to tolerate freshwater . Lives in not really clean water but not really turbid water either . Goes to the deep water areas of rivers at night . Planktivore . Spawns around three times in a lifetime and spawning occurs in between reeds . In Ariake Sound, Japan it breeds from May to August, the fishes running about 15 km up the Chikugo River and spawning in freshwater, the spherical eggs floating down and hatching near the river mouth. Its relatively large size makes it a more esteemed food fish than most Coilia. Used in Chinese medicine .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 80. Body tapering, belly rounded before pelvic fins, with 16 to 26 + 25 to 36 = 43 to 61 keeled scutes from isthmus to anus. Maxilla long, reaching to or almost to base of first pectoral fin ray. Pectoral fin with 6 filaments; branched fin rays longer than those of pelvic fin.: elongated; Cross section: compressed.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Japanese grenadier anchovy is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
Spawn in school .
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; freshwater; brackish; pelagic-neritic; anadromous ; depth range 0 - 50 m . Subtropical; 42°N - 21°N, 109°E - 134°E Northwest Pacific: Canton north to Ariake Sound, southwestern Japan, including all of Yellow Sea and off western coasts of Korea.
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Japanese grenadier anchovy is an edible species."
- Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
- Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
- Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
- Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
- Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
- Cloudy or sunken eyes
- Strong fishy or ammonia odour
- Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
- Discoloured or dry flesh
⚡ Nutrition
Detailed nutritional data for Japanese grenadier anchovy is currently being compiled from USDA FoodData Central.
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Japanese grenadier anchovy has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🔬 Full Nutritional Profile
Per 100g - Raw, per 100g - Source: USDA FoodData Central templates (oily fish average)
📊 Population Dynamics
| Year | Region | Index | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - |
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Japanese grenadier anchovy |
| 🌍CES | sardel rypákovitá |
| 🇯🇵Japanese | Etsu · エツ |
| 🇰🇷Korean | 웅어 |
| 🇷🇺Russian | Корейская коилия |
| 🇨🇳Chinese | 刀鱭 · 刀鲚 |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coilia ectenes | Jordan & Seale | 1905 | Synonym |
| Coilia ectenes taihuensis | Yuen, Lin, Liu & Qin | 1977 | Synonym |
| Colia ectens | Jordan & Seale | 1905 | Synonym |
| Colia nasus | Temminck & Schlegel | 1846 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 4 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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