Characteristics of Takifugu rubripes

(1) Physical Features

• Color of back is deep black and, belly is white. There are large black spots surrounded by white in upper end of pectoral fin and bottom of dorsal fin. Then again small, irregular-shaped black spots behind large spots located backside of pectoral fin.
• Dorsal, pectoral, and caudal fin are black while anal fin is white.
• Egg-shaped body. Covered with small spines starting from the middle of forehead to the beginning point of dorsal fin, and from the bottom of nostrils to the front of anus in the belly. The other part is smooth.
• Dorsal and anal fins are close to triangular shape and the end part is round.
• Edge of pectoral and caudal fins end is vertical-shaped and slightly convex.
• Jaw teeth look like birds' beaks as right, left teeth closed tightly each other.

(2) Ecological Characteristics

Range: East/West/South Sea of Korean peninsula, South of Hokkaido of Japan, Yellow Sea, East China Sea.

Habitat: In sandy gravel or quicksand floor in the bottom sea waters.

Migration: A group, staying in the west coast of Korean peninsula in summertime, migrates to the center of Yellow Sea in September and October. After that, it trips southwards to the western sea area of Jejudo after December, then moves more southward to the southern sea of Jejudo for wintering in January, and moves north when spring comes.

Spawning: Spawning period is from March to May. The Spawning point is the entry of gulf coast where water depth is about 20m to the sea floor with sand, gravel, stones, and rocks. Normally most female of 4-year-old (45cm of full length) starts laying eggs while some female start from when they become 3-year-old (from more or less 40cm of full length). Male becomes mature one year earlier than female. Number of incubated eggs is about 1.5 million in case full length is 54cm.

Grown-up: After hatching, becomes 25.0cm after one year, 32.3cm after 2 years, 42.5cm after 3 years, 47.6cm after 4 years, and 52.5cm after 5 years. Adult length 75cm. Life expectancy 10 years.

Taste: Eating small fish when young. Then eating shrimps, crabs, and squids, etc., and after that shrimps, crabs, and fish when grown up. Never eats below 15 degrees Celsius of seawater temperature. Hiding themselves in sand of the bottom floor below 10 degrees Celsius of seawater temperature.

Toxicity: Depends on species, seasons, and, ranges. Normally flesh and skin are not poisonous while internal organs like ovary and liver have strong poison.

Others: It is the most delicious among same species, and expensive.