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🌊 Marine Data Deficient 🍽️ Edible 🌡️ Tropical

Japanese thread-sail fish

Hime japonica Günther, 1877
Max Length
22.3 cm
Max Weight
-
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
4
Depth
85–510 m
Climate
Tropical
Resilience
Medium
Vulnerability
17.00/100
Typical Length
15 cm
Depth Zone
demersal

📖 Overview

Found in sandy or muddle areas . Benthic . Can also be found at 30 m depths . A carnivore which feeds on fish and crabs .

Scientific Name
Hime japonica
Authority
Günther, 1877
Habitat
Marine
Climate
Tropical
Body Shape
Elongated
IUCN Status
DD
Max Length
22.3 cm
Depth Range
85–510 m
Trophic Level
4
Resilience
Medium
Vulnerability
17.00/100
Salinity
30–40 ppt

🔬 Taxonomy

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Teleostei
Teleostei
Order
Aulopiformes
Aulopiformes
Family
Aulopidae
Aulopidae
Genus
Hime
Hime
Species
Japanese thread-sail fish
Hime japonica

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal soft rays (total): 15 - 16; Anal soft rays: 9 - 10; Vertebrae: 41 - 43. This species is distinguished by the following characters: D 16, rarely 15; A 10, rarely 9; pectoral fin rays 11, rarely 12; vertebrae41-43; total gill rakers 20 or 21, rarely 19 or 22; lateral line scales 42-43, rarely 41; pyloric caeca 11; in males, dorsal fin is large anteriorly, the membranes deeply incised but none of the rays are filamentous, third or fourth rays longest, reaching 25.7% SL, decreasing in length to middle of fin with posterior rays progressively longer, reaching 19.5% SL, its posterior lobe reaching to or past adipose n origin; in females, anterior end o fin lower, with membranes deeply incised and rays decreasing in length to middle of fin, lengths of subsequent rays subequal, posterior lobe reaching little more than half way to adipose fin; anal fin in males is relatively deep with posterior lobe approaching hypural crease in large individuals, smaller in females with posterior lobe reaching little more than half way to hypural crease; Males have prominent, large orange to red blotch or markings anteriorly and yellow spots posteriorly in dorsal fin, 3 broad bands on side with wide dark brown margins dorsally, wide yellow stripes on each lobe of caudal fin and white pelvic and anal fins the pelvic somewhat orange basally and anal with broad yellow stripe on basal half; females have orange to red spots scattered on dorsal fin, similar but less defined pattern on side, caudal fine with mottled yellow to orange pattern, similar pelvic fin but no yellow on anal fin.: elongated; Cross section: compressed.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Japanese thread-sail fish is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

Diet information for Japanese thread-sail fish is currently being compiled.

🥚 Reproduction

Reproduction data for Japanese thread-sail fish is currently being compiled.

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; demersal; depth range 85 - 510 m . Tropical East China Sea south to Taiwan.

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
🌊 Marine ⬇️ Benthic
Feeding Mode
Carnivore
Trophic Level
4±0.66
Food Items

fish and crabs (Ref

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.00437 × L3.12 (TL)
Max TL
22.3cm
Dorsal Rays
16
Anal Rays
10
Vertebrae
42

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Salinity Range
30–40ppt

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category
Data Deficient
Assessment Date
2018

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
Medium
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
17.00/100
Low vulnerability
Trophic Level
4
Apex / Top predator
Body Shape
Elongated
Climate Zone
Tropical
Described By
Günther, 1877

🍽️ Edibility & Flavour

"Japanese thread-sail fish is an edible species."

✗ Not for Raw
✓ Fresh Indicators
  • 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
✗ Avoid If
  • Cloudy or sunken eyes
  • Strong fishy or ammonia odour
  • Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
  • Discoloured or dry flesh
Best Cooking Methods
Baking Grilling Pan-frying

Nutrition

Detailed nutritional data for Japanese thread-sail fish is currently being compiled from USDA FoodData Central.

🔬 Mercury Safety

Mercury data for Japanese thread-sail fish has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.

🌿 Sustainability

Best Choice
Healthy stocks, low impact
Good Alternative
Well-managed, minor concerns
Use Caution
Check sourcing and season
Avoid
Overfished or high impact

🌐 Names & Taxonomy

Scientific Synonyms

Scientific Name Author Year Status
Aulopus japonicus Günther 1877 Synonym

🗺️ Global Occurrence Map

Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 12 records indexed .

Occurrence density from GBIF View GBIF records ↗

👥 Community & Contribute

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