Fish species in Japan

Unicorn leatherjacket

ウスバハギ · usubahagi
Aluterus monoceros

Unicorn leatherjacket have a large flattened body and tough skin. Food suitability can depend on local advice.

Habitat and season

Warm coastal water.

Months are a broad guide, not a current catch forecast. Region, water temperature and local closures can change the season.

A float shows bites while suspending the bait at a chosen depth. Adjusting the float stop changes the feeding layer.

A lightly weighted bait drifts with a small stream of groundbait. The aim is to keep the hook bait moving naturally at the feeding depth.

Detailed recipes for this species are currently in Japanese. Open the Japanese cooking guide →

Detailed Japanese species notes

大きく薄い楕円形の体と小さな口、頭上の棘が特徴。青い線や斑点と長く大きな尾を持つソウシハギとは区別が必要です。不明な個体は食用にしません。

強い歯と頭上の棘に素手を近づけない。ソウシハギなどとの誤同定を避け、魚種が確定できない魚や内臓は食べない。