Grey large-eye bream / Blue-lined large-eye bream

※Off display.

Distributed from east India to the West Pacific including southern Japan. Mainly inhabits shallow coral reefs and rocky areas at depths less than 100 meters. Reaches 40 cm in length. Often found swimming slowly or resting on slopes of coral reefs, the sea floor and sandy bottoms. Its semicircular body is elongated with the end of its tail fin indented. The body color of juveniles and adults is very different. Adults are silvery with a yellow tint, juveniles are darker in color with a dark brown band that passes through the eyes, and irregular brown vertical bands. Fishing methods vary such as single line fishing, gillnetting, basket net-fishing or using small fixed nets. They are often served as sashimi or grilled with salt and are suited for many kinds of dishes. Its is also considered full of flavor during the summer. It has different names depending on the prefecture. In Osaka and Tokyo, it is called Meichi, in Wakayama Prefecture it is called Ichi and in Mie Prefecture it is called Meichya. In the Okinawan dialect, its name varies with region and includes Amakucha, Imiamakusa or Amakuchishiruiyu.