【Reading】こち

【English Name】Flathead

Kochi, written with the character 鯒, is a collective name encompassing bottom-dwelling marine fish that lie flat against the seabed with their thin, flattened bodies. It includes several species such as magochi (bartail flathead), megochi, and nezumigochi (dragonet), with a wide range of body lengths from extremely small species around 5 cm to large species nearly 1 m long. Centered on warm seas, they also spread to coastal areas in the temperate zone; their habitats vary, including species that prefer shallow sandy-mud bottoms, species that hide in rocky reefs, and species that dwell near coral reefs.

Magochi, counted among the finest white-fleshed fish in the world of sushi, mainly inhabits the sandy-mud bottoms of the coastal areas of western Japan and reaches the peak of its flavor in summer. Its flesh, with modest fat and an elegant sweetness, is traditionally savored as usu-zukuri (thin slices) or arai (ice-water-washed sashimi), but it also offers deep flavor when prepared as deep-fried dishes or simmered.

Although difficult to tell apart by appearance, the family Platycephalidae (suborder Scorpaenoidei) and the family Callionymidae (suborder Callionymoidei) are two phylogenetically distant lineages. They are a fine example of parallel evolution, having followed separate evolutionary paths in adapting to bottom-dwelling life and arriving at a similar appearance. The identifying points are clear: Platycephalidae have rough body surfaces and relatively large mouths, while Callionymidae have smooth skin covered in mucus and relatively small mouths.

The reproductive mode of magochi incorporates protandrous sex change, transitioning from male to female as it grows, so most large individuals are female. In the Kansai region, it is affectionately called gacchou and is an indispensable presence on summer dining tables.