Hairtail Fish is a type of fish called a hairtail or “Japanese” or Taiyo. It’s an unusual-looking fish with a long ‘tail’ at the back of its body, hence the name. This tail can be up to ten times longer than its body length!
Hairtail Fish is known to live in cold water and feed off microscopic organisms in the deep sediment. They are capable of surviving in brackish water; they are therefore found all over Japan. It was once thought that the lack of hair on their tails might be the reason for their name.
These fish reproduce sexually in Japan and have between 1 and 16 young per brood. These young can swim away like miniature adults after six months of hatching.
There are several subspecies of Hairtail Fish, each with its unique appearance but no distinct differences in taste or texture from one subspecies to another.
Characteristics of Hairtail Fish
- Their ‘tail’ is much longer than their body, measuring up to ten times their body length.
- They have bright red and white coloring.
- They have a large, fan-shaped ‘tail’ at the back of their body.
- They are carnivorous, feeding on minute organisms that live in the deep sediment.
- The Photo Gallery below shows a Hairtail Fish from Japan. The appearance of hairtail fish when cooked, the meat is white and firm
- The hairtail is an unusual fish with a long ‘tail’ at the back of its body, hence the name. This tail can be up to ten times longer than its body!
- The hairtail is known to live in cold water and feed off microscopic organisms in the deep sediment. They are capable of surviving in brackish water; they are therefore found all over Japan.
- It was once thought that the lack of hair on their tails might be the reason for their name.
- The hairtail combines several species, such as the dogfish shark, blind shark, and the skates. However, when fully grown, it is around the size of a giant goldfish or trout.
- It has a large jaw with teeth that are quite varied in size. The shape of its teeth also varies from skates to sharks, depending on how they feed on their prey.
Hairtail Fish Origin and History
The hairtail is one of the most commonly eaten fish in Japan, especially in Osaka. This is because not only are they found all over Japan, but they also overgrow.
Young hairtail fish can swim away after six months and even become more significant than adult fish, growing to around three feet!
The females are typical of many other male-female pairs found in nature; one male holds onto a female for life while fertilizing and protecting her eggs.
Uses of Hairtail Fish
In Japan, people eat the hairtail’s meat as sashimi. It is also eaten as a hotpot dish or in miso soup. The large size of the hairtail’s tail means that it can be sliced for sashimi and then sold separately from the fish itself.
Diet of Hairtail Fish
When it comes to diet, most of the hairtail (or ‘hairtail’) fish feed on tiny organisms such as plankton and sea snails. When hunting for food, the fish swims slowly through the water column. It then spots a small living organism and opens its huge mouth. The fish then sucks up these organisms with its mouth, trapped between its teeth, like popcorn in a lunchbox.
The hairtail is known to live in cold water and feed off microscopic organisms in the deep sediment.
Where do you catch hairtail fish?
Hairtail fish are caught in Japan in the entire country, and there are several areas where you can find them. Most of the time, they can be found in the Kii Channel, where they are caught in nets set by divers.
However, some hunters go into the open waters to catch hairtails, where they feed on plankton and other tiny organisms commonly found near reef systems.
Is hairtail fish good to eat?
The meat of the hairtail fish is white and firm in texture. When cooked, it turns opaque and white. It has a delicate flavor that resembles that of sea bream or flounder. This means that they are widely eaten as sashimi, hotpot dishes, and as part of miso soup.
The best 10 Fact of hairtail fish
Here are The best 10 Fact of hairtail fish
1. The fish’s tail is about 10 times longer than its body.
2. Its tail can measure up to ten times greater than body length.
3. The hairtail is known to survive in brackish water, which means that it can be found all over Japan, including in the Kii Channel, where it is fished from nets set by divers.
4. They increase and are therefore sold as sashimi or hotpot dishes at relatively young ages – around six months of age.
5. The hairtail is caught in nets by divers.
6. It is a delicacy in Japan and a popular sashimi dish.
7. The hairtail can be eaten raw or lightly cooked, either as sashimi or with hotpot dishes.
8. The tail is commonly sold separately from the fish itself because of its considerable size.
9. The hairtail is a fish often eaten in the Kii Channel area of Japan.
10. The hairtail is also one of the most common fish found in Japanese hotpot dishes.
Conclusion
The hairtail is an unusual fish with a long ‘tail’ at the back of its body, hence the name. This tail can be up to ten times longer than its body!
The hairtail is known to live in cold water and feed off microscopic organisms in the deep sediment. They are capable of surviving in brackish water; they are therefore found all over Japan.
It was once thought that the lack of hair on their tails might be the reason for their name.
