Hound needlefish (Okizayori) is distributed from the Shimokita Peninsula and the Sea of Japan coast south of the Tsugaru Strait, the Pacific coast south of the Sanriku region, and the world’s tropical and temperate zones excluding the eastern Pacific. It lives in the coastal surface layer. Its body is long and slender, and it is 80~120cm long. It resembles a needlefish, but its jaws are shorter than those of a needlefish.

Okizayori has a taste that is neither too strong nor too bland, and it has a moderate sweetness that makes it a very satisfying fish to eat. The flesh and color of the fish are different on the dorsal and ventral sides. It is generally used as an ingredient in fish paste and surimi, and it is not highly regarded as a fresh fish. When made into nigiri sushi, the good points of the fish come to the fore.

Common name: Crocodile Needlefish, Houndfish

Japanese name: Okizayori (沖細魚、沖針魚)

Taiwan common name: －

Chinese common name: 大圆颌针鱼

Korean common name: 꽁치아재비

Scientific name: Tylosurus crocodilus crocodilus (Péron and Lesueur, 1821)

Nigiri sushi detail: Hound needlefish (Okizayori) Nigiri sushi