Common name: Fivespot flounder

Japanese name: Tamaganzobirame (玉雁瘡平目、玉雁雑平目、玉雁瘡鮃、雁雑鮃)

Taiwan common name:  軟體金眼鯛、紅魚、紅大目仔

Chinese common name: 软体金眼鲷

Scientific name: Pseudorhombus pentophthalmus Günther,1862

Nigiri sushi detail: Tamaganzobirame (Fivespot flounder) Nigiri sushi

Characteristics:

Tamaganzobirame (Fivespot flounder) is distributed in warm waters from southern Hokkaido to the South China Sea. It inhabits sandy and muddy areas at depths of 40–80 meters. The body length is approximately 15 cm. Both eyes are located on the left side of the body. There are five black spots on the eyed side. It resembles the Ganzobirame (Cinnamon flounder), but Ganzobirame has only one black spot.

Tamaganzobirame is generally an underutilized fish, but it is marketed in Niigata Prefecture and the Seto Inland Sea. Its flesh resembles that of Hirame but is slightly softer, and fresh ones are delicious as sashimi. From winter to spring, the flesh becomes fatty, and it is particularly tasty during this period. Outside of Niigata, it is processed into ground products or dried fish.