Hong Kong Grouper

The Hong Kong grouper is found in shallow coastal rocky reefs. The fish is around 45 cm in length, and the dorsal fin contains 11 spines. The head and body have a brownish-red colour and are covered in bright yellow dots. In Kanto region, it is called kijihata because the grouper (hata in Japanese) has a pattern that resembles a pheasant (kiji). The fish is known as akamizu in Shimane Prefecture, and is often caught by fishing or gillnetting. The flesh of the fish is easy to eat with a mild flavour, and is characterized by its lightness and umami. It is suitable for various dishes such as sashimi, salt-grilled fish and stew, and is also known as a species of high commercial value.