noun
mid-sized konoshiro gizzard shad; young gizzard shad
Refers to a young or mid-sized konoshiro (gizzard shad), about 15 cm, often used as sushi topping. The adult fish is called コノシロ.
See also: 鮗
今日の寿司ネタはコハダが新鮮で美味しかった。
Today's sushi topping, the gizzard shad, was fresh and delicious.
コハダは酢でしめてから握ります。
Gizzard shad is marinated in vinegar before being made into sushi.
Irregular kanji usage; 肌 means 'skin', not directly related to the fish.
コノシロ is the adult gizzard shad, larger than コハダ. コハダ refers specifically to the young or mid-sized fish.
The origin is uncertain. The name may derive from the small size (小) and the fin (鰭) or skin (肌) appearance, but the exact derivation is unclear.