Hypomesus japonicus explained

Hypomesus japonicus, the Japanese smelt, is a coastal fish species of the northwestern Pacific Ocean, ranging from the Korean Peninsula and northern Japan to the Kuril Islands and Peter the Great Bay.[1]

Size and age

The maximum total length is about 25 centimeters, and the maximum weight is about 158 grams. The oldest reported age is 8 years.

Habitat and reproduction

Hypomesus japonicus is a marine species that enters freshwater coastal lagoons and estuaries. Spawning occurs in the month of May on beaches.[2] They prefer marine environments but is found near coastlines, with some populations exhibiting variations in habitat characteristics depending on specific regions. [3]

Morphological Variation

Hypomesus japonicus is distinguished from its closely related species, H. nipponensis, by several morphological characteristics. Although both species are commonly referred to as Japanese smelt, they possess clear differences. H. japonicus has a relatively smaller eye diameter, and the heights of its dorsal fin and adipose fin are greater. Notably, this species exhibits morphological variation according to habitat, with individuals from the Russky Island coastline displaying the most pronounced morphological differences when compared to those from Olga Bay and the Terney coastline.[4]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Hypomesus japonicus Japanese smelt. Animal Diversity. 2 February 2013.
  2. Web site: Hypomesus japonicus. Encyclopedia of Life. 2 February 2013.
  3. Vu . K. T. . Kartavtsev . Yu. Ph. . 2017-11-01 . Morphometric Differences between Two Smelt Species, Hypomesus japonicus (Brevoort, 1856) and H. nipponensis (McAllister, 1963) (Pisces: Osmeridae) from The Northwestern Part of the Sea of Japan . Russian Journal of Marine Biology . en . 43 . 6 . 436–446 . 10.1134/S1063074017060116 . 1608-3377.
  4. Vu . K. T. . Kartavtsev . Yu. Ph. . 2017-11-01 . Morphometric Differences between Two Smelt Species, Hypomesus japonicus (Brevoort, 1856) and H. nipponensis (McAllister, 1963) (Pisces: Osmeridae) from The Northwestern Part of the Sea of Japan . Russian Journal of Marine Biology . en . 43 . 6 . 436–446 . 10.1134/S1063074017060116 . 1608-3377.