Hucho perryi
Encyclopedia
The Sakhalin taimen also called the Sea-run taimen, Stringfish, Japanese huchen, or Ito, is a species of fish
in the salmon
family
(family Salmonidae
) of order
Salmoniformes.
, Hokkaidō
. World research concluded that this species of fish is, surprisingly, able to change its own sex for mating.
Island (Russia), the Island of Hokkaidō
(Japan) and parts of the far eastern Russian mainland. An anadromous form is located near the eastern shores of Hokkaido.
in the commercial salmon fisheries of Russia and Japan, as well as illegal fishing practices in Russia. The fish are also prized as trophies by Japanese recreational anglers.
But in Japan, breeding of this species is common for game-fishing at managed fishing sites. Raised fish are available for purchase, and there is no worry about their extinction as a species.
Fish
Fish are a paraphyletic group of organisms that consist of all gill-bearing aquatic vertebrate animals that lack limbs with digits. Included in this definition are the living hagfish, lampreys, and cartilaginous and bony fish, as well as various extinct related groups...
in the salmon
Salmon
Salmon is the common name for several species of fish in the family Salmonidae. Several other fish in the same family are called trout; the difference is often said to be that salmon migrate and trout are resident, but this distinction does not strictly hold true...
family
Family (biology)
In biological classification, family is* a taxonomic rank. Other well-known ranks are life, domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, genus, and species, with family fitting between order and genus. As for the other well-known ranks, there is the option of an immediately lower rank, indicated by the...
(family Salmonidae
Salmonidae
Salmonidae is a family of ray-finned fish, the only living family currently placed in the order Salmoniformes. It includes salmon, trout, chars, freshwater whitefishes and graylings...
) of order
Order (biology)
In scientific classification used in biology, the order is# a taxonomic rank used in the classification of organisms. Other well-known ranks are life, domain, kingdom, phylum, class, family, genus, and species, with order fitting in between class and family...
Salmoniformes.
Description
Sakhalin taimen is one of largest, most ancient salmon species and primarily inhabitats the lower to middle reaches of lakes and rivers. Fishes over 30 cm long are almost exclusively piscivores, while the young feed mostly on aquatic insects. Females typically lay between 2,000-10,000 eggs in the spring on the sandy or gravelly river bottom. The largest fish caught was recorded at 9.45 kg / 20 lb 13 oz (IGFA world record). According to the unauthorized record of Japan, a fish with length of 2 m 10 cm was captured in 1937 from the Tokachi RiverTokachi River
is a river in Hokkaidō, Japan....
, Hokkaidō
Hokkaido
, formerly known as Ezo, Yezo, Yeso, or Yesso, is Japan's second largest island; it is also the largest and northernmost of Japan's 47 prefectural-level subdivisions. The Tsugaru Strait separates Hokkaido from Honshu, although the two islands are connected by the underwater railway Seikan Tunnel...
. World research concluded that this species of fish is, surprisingly, able to change its own sex for mating.
Range
Sakhalin taimen are found in the Northwest Pacific: SakhalinSakhalin
Sakhalin or Saghalien, is a large island in the North Pacific, lying between 45°50' and 54°24' N.It is part of Russia, and is Russia's largest island, and is administered as part of Sakhalin Oblast...
Island (Russia), the Island of Hokkaidō
Hokkaido
, formerly known as Ezo, Yezo, Yeso, or Yesso, is Japan's second largest island; it is also the largest and northernmost of Japan's 47 prefectural-level subdivisions. The Tsugaru Strait separates Hokkaido from Honshu, although the two islands are connected by the underwater railway Seikan Tunnel...
(Japan) and parts of the far eastern Russian mainland. An anadromous form is located near the eastern shores of Hokkaido.
Threats
The global population of Sakhalin taimen has dwindled in recent years for a variety of reasons. The loss of more than 50% of their original habitat due to agriculture, urbanization, and more recently oil and gas development, is a major factor. Other considerable pressures include bycatchBycatch
The term “bycatch” is usually used for fish caught unintentionally in a fishery while intending to catch other fish. It may however also indicate untargeted catch in other forms of animal harvesting or collecting...
in the commercial salmon fisheries of Russia and Japan, as well as illegal fishing practices in Russia. The fish are also prized as trophies by Japanese recreational anglers.
But in Japan, breeding of this species is common for game-fishing at managed fishing sites. Raised fish are available for purchase, and there is no worry about their extinction as a species.
Status
In 2006, the IUCN listed Hucho perryi as critically endangered based on the assessment completed by the Salmonid Specialist Group (SSG). This designation represents the highest potential risk of global extinction to the species. The assessment revealed that the range-wide population has dropped in size to less than 5% of historic levels.Appearances in popular culture
- In the Nintendo GameCubeNintendo GameCubeThe , officially abbreviated to NGC in Japan and GCN in other regions, is a sixth generation video game console released by Nintendo on September 15, 2001 in Japan, November 18, 2001 in North America, May 3, 2002 in Europe, and May 17, 2002 in Australia...
videogame Animal CrossingAnimal CrossingThe Animal Crossing games have garnered positive response. The first three games are among the best-selling for their respective consoles. Animal Crossing has sold 2.321 million copies; Wild World 10.79 million; and City Folk 3.38 million...
and subsequent sequels, Hucho Perryi (under the name Stringfish) is a rare fish that can be caught in the river, and sold for 15,000 bells - one of only four fish that can be sold for that amount. - Also appeared in Leo Lanson's hit film FalconPunch! They appeared as a cartoon version used to kill the evil Bucktooth.