Common name: Harlequin sandsmelt, Grub fish, Rosy grub, Rosy grub fish

Japanese name: Toragisu (虎鱚)

Taiwan common name: 美擬鱸、海狗甘仔、舉目魚、雨傘閂、花狗母海、沙鱸、花狗母 (澎湖)

Scientific name: Parapercis pulchella (Temminck & Schlegel, 1843)

Nigiri sushi detail: Harlequin sandsmelt (Toragisu) Nigiri sushi

Characteristics:

Harlequin sandsmelt (Toragisu) is widely distributed south of Tokyo on the Pacific Ocean side, south of Niigata on the Sea of Japan side, Korean Peninsula, and Indo-West Pacific region. It inhabits shallow coastal waters and stays still on sand and gravel bottoms around reefs. The body length is 15~20 cm. Its body shape is almost cylindrical, elongated, and laterally flattened toward the tail. The body color is light yellowish brown with six dark brown transverse bands on the body and a white longitudinal band running through the center.

Toragisu is not a fish that can be targeted and caught, making it difficult to market. It has a light flavor and many small bones, making it suitable for tempura and deep frying. It is used as an ingredient for fish paste products such as kamaboko.

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