Common name: Bleeker’s grouper, Bleeker’s rock cod, Bleekeri’s grouper, Duskytail grouper

Japanese name: Kitenhata (黄点羽太)

Taiwan common name: 布氏石斑魚、石斑、過魚、紅斑、紅點鱠、芝麻斑

Chinese common name: 橙点石斑鱼

Scientific name: Epinephelus bleekeri (Vaillant,1878)

Nigiri sushi detail: Bleeker’s grouper (Kitenhata) Nigiri sushi

Characteristics:

Bleeker’s grouper (Kitenhata) is distributed in Taiwan, Indonesia, the northern coast of Australia, Africa, and Madagascar. It is found at depths ranging from 45m to 110m. The body has yellowish markings, which are absent on the abdomen. The ventral fins, tail fins, and the lower half of the caudal fin are black, and the trailing edge of the caudal fin is absent.

Until now, it was believed that this species was not distributed in Japan, but it is now being caught in Japan, perhaps due to global warming. Nevertheless, Sushi Nakano in Asakusa offers rare sushi toppings, and Kitenhata nigiri sushi is sometimes served. Caught in Taiwan and Southeast Asia, Kitanhata was once used as a substitute for sevenband grouper (Mahata) in sushi restaurants. It is suitable for simmered, deep-fried, or one-pot dishes.

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