Japanese anchovy (katakuchi iwashi) - Katakuchi iwashi (English spelling)

Japanese: カタクチイワシ(片口鰮∥片口鰯) - カタクチイワシ（英語表記）Japanese anchovy

A marine fish of the Angraulidae family (illustration). It is so named because it appears to have only an upper jaw. As its other name, the Japanese amberjack, suggests, its back is bluish-black and its abdomen is silvery-white. Its body is slightly cylindrical, and its upper jaw opens all the way to the back of its eyes. With recent advances in breeding techniques, it is now exhibited at aquariums around the country, and it is possible to see them thrashing about in schools, their scales sparkling. As its name suggests, the sea grass is food for many fish throughout its life, and it occupies an important position in the marine food chain.

Source: Heibonsha World Encyclopedia, 2nd Edition Information

Japanese:

ニシン目カタクチイワシ科の海産魚（イラスト）。上あごだけしかないように見えることからこの名がある。セグロイワシの別名のように，背が青黒く，腹部は銀白色である。体はやや円筒状で，上あごは眼の後方にまで開く。近年の飼育技術の進歩につれて，各地の水族館でも展示が行われ，キラキラとうろこを輝かせ，群れをなして身を翻す光景を見ることも可能になった。海の牧草の名で呼ばれるように一生を通して多くの魚の餌となり，海の食物連鎖の中で重要な位置を占めている。

出典　株式会社平凡社世界大百科事典第２版について　情報

<<: Katakura Kanetaro

>>: Katakuchi - Katakuchi