bio.wikisort.org - Animal

Shishamo (柳葉魚, literally "Willow Leaf Fish"), or Spirinchus lanceolatus, is an anadromous fish (smelt) native to Hokkaido, Japan.[1]

Shishamo
Edible grilled shishamo
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Osmeriformes
Family:	Osmeridae
Genus:	Spirinchus
Species:	S. lanceolatus
Binomial name
Spirinchus lanceolatus (Hikita, 1913)

Description

This fish averages 15 centimeters in length, with a maximum recorded length of 70 cm.[1] It is generally dark on the back with a silver-white underside.

Etymology

The fish is said to resemble a willow leaf, and its Japanese name reflects this; shishamo, is derived from the Ainu name for the same fish, susam, which is supposed to be derived from a compound of Ainu susu "willow" + ham "leaf", hence its name in Chinese characters (柳葉魚 jukujikun, where the characters have no phonetic relation to the word).[2][3][4]

Food use

In Japanese cuisine, this fish is grilled or fried whole and served with its roe intact.

Due to declining catches in recent years, attempts have been made to commercially farm the fish in Japan.[5]

References

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