Some Data on Distribution and Biology of the Japanese Sandfish Arctoscopus japonicus (Steindachner, 1881) in Coastal Waters of Sakhalin Island

Abstract

The distribution of the Japanese sandfish Arctoscopus japonicus (Steindachner, 1881) in the coastal zone of Sakhalin Island in May–October 1998–2022 is described on the basis of materials of beach seine and set gillnet surveys. In the Tatar Strait, off the southeastern coast of the island, and in Aniva Bay, the Japanese sandfish is shown to be a common species but with low abundance, accounting for less than 1% of numbers and biomass in catches during the summer months. Aggregations with the highest density are formed by juveniles in July–August and by spawning adults in September. The coastal area is dominated by 3–5-year-old fish up to 21 cm in length; individuals aged 6+ yr and up to 27 cm in length have also been recorded.