Japanese icefish
📖 Overview
Japanese icefish (Salangichthys microdon) is a ray-finned fish of the family Salangidae. It inhabits diadromous, migrating between freshwater and the sea waters in benthic environments. This species can reach a maximum total length of 10 cm. With a trophic level of 3.7, it is a mid-level predator. It is assessed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Commercially fished and consumed as food.
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal soft rays (total): 10 - 13; Anal soft rays: 22 - 28; Vertebrae: 59 - 65. : elongated.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Japanese icefish is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; freshwater; brackish; demersal; anadromous . Polar; 52°N - 30°N, 99°E - 159°E Northwest Pacific: eastern Siberia, Japan, Korea and Russia (Ref.
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Japanese icefish 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
Per 100g cooked - Source: USDA FoodData Central
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Protein | 14.8 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 600 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Japanese icefish 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 (generic fish average)
📊 Population Dynamics
| Year | Region | Index | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - |
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Common icefish · Glassfish · Japanese icefish · Whitebait · Whitefish |
| 🇩🇪German | Nudelfisch |
| 🇯🇵Japanese | Shirauo · シラウオ |
| 🇰🇷Korean | 뱅어 |
| 🇵🇱Polish | Lapsza |
| 🇷🇺Russian | Рыба лапша · Саланкс · лапша-рыба |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salanx microdon | Bleeker | 1860 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 730 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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