noun
deepsea smelt
A species of deep-sea fish, Glossanodon semifasciatus, found in Japanese waters. The name is usually written in katakana.
ニギスは深海魚で、食用としても利用される。
The deepsea smelt is a deep-sea fish and is also used for food.
The name likely derives from the fish's resemblance to the Japanese whiting (鱚, きす), with the prefix に (似) meaning 'resembling'. The exact origin is uncertain.