Common name: Doublespotted queenfish, Blacktip leatherskin, Blacktip queenfish, Doubledotted queenfish, Giant dart, Large-mouthed leatherskin, Leatherback, Leatherback jack, Leatherback lae, Leatherskin, Lesser queenfish

Japanese name: Ikekatsuo (生鰹、逆鈎鰹)

Taiwan common name: 逆鈎鰺

Scientific name: Scomberoides lysan (Forsskål,1775)

Nigiri sushi detail: Doublespotted queenfish (Ikekatsuo) Nigiri sushi

Characteristics:

Doublespotted queenfish (Ikekatsuo) are distributed south of Ibaraki Prefecture, Taiwan, China, the South China Sea, the Indo-Pacific region, eastern Africa, and the Hawaiian Islands. They migrate in schools from the surface to depths of about 100 m. Their maximum length is 110 cm, and their weight is about 1,000 g. They are found in the waters between the surface and depths of about 100 m. The maximum length reaches 110 cm and weight 11 kg.

It is interesting to note that despite the “Katsuo” in its name, it is not a member of the Bonito (Katsuo) family at all, but rather of the Horse mackerel (Aji) family.

The dorsal and anal fins are said to be poisonous, but the sting is not poisonous enough to kill you, so it is not as deadly as other species such as the hairy stingfish (Onikasago).

Ikekatsuo are rarely seen in the Kanto and other regions of Japan. The flavorful, clear taste unique to Aji is addictive and so tasty that some people prefer to eat it. However, the taste varies depending on the size of the fish, with larger specimens generally having a stronger flavor, and smaller specimens (about 20 cm) lacking umami.

Sashimi has a refreshing taste with a slight sourness afterward. Ginger is a better condiment than wasabi. A Latin dish called ceviche, which consists of the fillet with salt, sliced purple onion, green chilies, and a squeeze of lime, is very tasty. The fish is also delicious grilled, simmered, in miso soup, or dried, although its hardness is a drawback when heated.

Share this article