【Reading】ほうぼう

【English Name】Red Gurnard

Hobo (red gurnard) is a white-fleshed saltwater fish of the family Triglidae. It inhabits waters from southern Hokkaido to the East China Sea and South China Sea, favoring sandy-muddy bottoms at depths of around 100 to 200 m. It is the largest species of the family Triglidae in the seas around Japan, reaching a total length of 40 cm. The lower part of its pectoral fins has three pairs of free soft rays, which it uses like legs to walk along the seabed and senses food with their tips. The pectoral fins spread out wing-like in blue-green, and it makes a grunting "guu-guu" sound with its swim bladder. The origin of its Japanese name is said to be this call. Its season as a sushi ingredient is winter. The flesh is a thin, slightly pink-tinged white meat with firm texture and umami. It suits a wide range of cooking such as sashimi, simmering, and deep-frying, and good-quality stock can be taken from its bony parts (ara). Compared with the kanagashira, it has a smaller head and more edible portion.