Common name: Slender rockcod,Slender grouper,White-lined rock-cod,Whitelined cod,White-lined grouper,White-lined rockcod

Japanese name: Azukihata (小豆羽太)

French common name: Loche à lignes blanches, Mérou élégant

Chainese common name: 白线光腭鲈

Taiwan common name: 白線光腭鱸、白線鮨,過魚、石斑、鱠仔(澎湖)

Scientific name: Anyperodon leucogrammicus (Valenciennes, 1828)

 

Nigiri sushi detail: Slender grouper (Azukihata) Nigiri sushi

Feature:

The Slender grouper (Azukihata) is distributed in the Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean, Ryukyu Islands, and Ogasawara Islands. It primarily inhabits shallow rocky reefs. Its body is laterally compressed, but compared to the Sevenband grouper (Mahata), its head is lower and more elongated. Its body color is brownish, and as its name suggests, it is densely covered with dark adzuki bean-colored spots, with pale vertical bands visible. It can grow up to about 60 cm, but the size commonly found in the market is around 30-40 cm.

Its flesh is white, characterized by a refined sweetness and a firm, crisp texture. Furthermore, it retains freshness well, allowing stable supply of high-quality product even to regions far from the source, which is another appealing feature. In recent years, aquaculture has also become widespread, contributing to stable supply. Its peak season is from autumn to winter.

Azukihata is best enjoyed with simple preparations to highlight its refined flavor. It is occasionally served at sushi restaurants in Tokyo. Note that the Redspotted grouper (Kijihata) is sometimes referred to as Azukihata due to their similar appearance, leading to occasional confusion. While priced lower than Kijihata, it remains a premium fish.