Japanese amberjack
A prized jack fish native to the northwest Pacific Ocean.
The Japanese amberjack is a large marine fish found in the northwest Pacific. It supports a major aquaculture industry in Japan, where it is valued as a winter delicacy. Wild fry are collected and raised in sea cages until they reach market size.
- Grows up to 1.5 meters in length
- Has a distinctive yellow tail and side stripe
- Major aquaculture species in Japan
- Wild fry collected from under seaweed in May
- Considered a winter delicacy in Hokuriku
What it is
This species belongs to the jack family, distinct from tunas despite common menu names. Adults typically measure one metre in length, with some individuals reaching one and a half metres. The body features a horizontal yellow stripe running its full length. The tail fin is also yellow, which gives the fish its common English name. It is a robust swimmer built for open water.
Where it lives
The fish inhabits the northwest Pacific Ocean. Its range includes waters off Japan, China, and Korea. In Japan, it is particularly associated with the Toyama prefecture and the Hokuriku region. As juveniles, they are often found sheltering beneath floating seaweed mats in coastal areas before moving to deeper waters as they mature.
How it lives
Young fish gather under floating debris and seaweed for protection. This behaviour allows fishermen to locate them easily during the spring months. As they grow, they become powerful predators in the open ocean. They are known to form schools, though specific dietary habits and natural predators are not detailed in the provided records. Their growth rate is rapid when food is abundant.
Breeding and life cycle
Commercial production relies on wild stocks for initial stock. Every May, workers collect small fry, known as mojako, from under floating seaweed. These young fish are transferred to sea cages. They grow until they weigh between ten and fifty grams. At this stage, they are sold to farmers who raise them to larger sizes for market.
Fish and people
It is a highly valued food fish in East Asia. In Japan, it is called hamachi when young and buri when adult. The meat is eaten raw or cooked and is considered a winter delicacy due to higher fat content. Aquaculture produces about 120,000 tonnes annually. Fishermen scoop seaweed to catch fry, which are then raised to three or five kilograms.
Questions people ask about Japanese amberjack
Is Japanese amberjack a type of tuna?
No, it is not a tuna. Although menus may list it as yellowtail tuna, it belongs to the jack family Carangidae. True tunas are part of the Scombridae family. They are biologically distinct groups of fish.
Why is it called hamachi and buri?
These are Japanese names based on the age and size of the fish. Hamachi refers to the younger stage, weighing around three kilograms. Buri is the term for the adult fish, which weighs five kilograms or more.
How is Japanese amberjack farmed?
Farmers collect wild fry called mojako from under floating seaweed in May. These small fish are placed in sea cages. They are fed and grown until they reach market weight, supporting an annual production of roughly 120,000 tonnes.
Good reading and sources
- Japanese amberjack on WikipediaEncyclopedia
- More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
- Wikidata recordOpen data
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Japanese amberjack", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). EveryFish rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes, and figures change over time. Nothing here is investment or buying advice. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-11-15.
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