Hypomesus japonicus (Brevoort, 1856)
Hypomesus japonicus
photo by Vasilets, P.

Family:  Osmeridae (Smelts)
Max. size:  25 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 158.0 g; max. reported age: 8 years
Environment:  demersal; freshwater; brackish; marine; depth range 0 - 50 m, anadromous
Distribution:  Northwest Pacific: Korean Peninsula and northern Japan to the Kuril Islands and Peter the Great Bay (Russia).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-11; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 14-19; Vertebrae: 59-64. Vomer large, with broad, bifurcated posterior process; periphery of glossohyal bone with row of conical teeth, a few similar teeth located more centrally; pyloric caeca 6(4-7); base of adipose fin less than 20% of head length; eye small; adipose eyelid poorly developed.
Biology:  A marine-coastal species; spawning occurs in May on beaches (Ref. 33312). Anadromous (Ref. 37812).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 16 March 2020 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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