Biology

Found in sand bottoms and may enter semi-enclosed sea areas (Ref. 11230). Forms large schools. Important food fish in Japan (marketed fresh or dried) and marketed fresh but mainly used for meal and oil manufacture in Europe (Ref. 10384). Common size taken from picture in Ref. 559. Maximum size estimated as 1.5 * common size. Two genetically different lineages were found in Japan Sea/East Sea, perhaps representing two different species (J.K. Kim, oral.comm, FishBoL2012, June 2012).