Biology:Shishamo
| Shishamo | |
|---|---|
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| |
| Grilled shishamo | |
Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Osmeriformes |
| Family: | Osmeridae |
| Genus: | Spirinchus |
| Species: | S. lanceolatus
|
| Binomial name | |
| Spirinchus lanceolatus (Hikita, 1913)
| |
Shishamo (柳葉魚; literally "Willow Leaf Fish"), or Spirinchus lanceolatus, is an anadromous smelt native to Hokkaido, Japan.[1]
Description
This fish averages 15 centimeters in length, with a maximum recorded length of 70 cm.[1] It is generally dark on the back with a silver-white underside.
Etymology
The fish is said to resemble a willow leaf, and its Japanese name reflects this; shishamo, is derived from the Ainu name for the same fish, susam, which is supposed to be derived from a compound of Ainu susu "willow" + ham "leaf", hence its name in Chinese characters (柳葉魚 jukujikun, where the characters have no phonetic relation to the word).[2][3][4]
Food use
In Japanese cuisine, this fish is grilled or fried whole and served with its roe intact.
The total 2021 catch in Kushiro, where 85% of Japanese shishamo are caught, was 124 tons - a reduction of 50% compared to the year before. Due to declining catches in recent years, attempts have been made to commercially farm the fish in Japan.[5] In recent years capelin (Mallotus villosus) has appeared on the market with the name "Karafuto shishamo." Approximately 20,000 tons are imported to Japan annually.[6]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Spirinchus lanceolatus summary page" (in en). https://www.fishbase.us/summary/Spirinchus-lanceolatus.html.
- ↑ "第２２話 北海道にしかいない魚「シシャモ」". 地方独立行政法人北海道立総合研究機構. http://www.hro.or.jp/domin/magazine/post-41.html. Retrieved 2013-09-21.
- ↑ "アイヌ伝説 神からの贈りもの【ししゃも】". APNA食品図鑑. http://apna.cocolog-nifty.com/foodblog/2009/10/post-2cb2.html. Retrieved 2013-09-21.
- ↑ "鵡川ししゃも「楊の葉に命を与えたのは神様」". 北海道むかわ町. http://www.town.mukawa.lg.jp/3124.htm. Retrieved 2016-02-09.
- ↑ Tokunaga, Saki (2014-01-13). "Fish expert farming rare 'shishamo'" (in en-US). The Japan Times Online. ISSN 0447-5763. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2014/01/13/national/fish-expert-farming-rare-shishamo/.
- ↑ 新 ししゃも豆知識 十勝総合振興局産業振興部水産課
Wikidata ☰ Q3276297 entry
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