also: ねうお
noun
non-migratory seabed fish; rockfish; reef fish
Refers to fish that live near the sea bottom around rocks or reefs and do not migrate; commonly used in fishing contexts.
根魚を狙って釣りに行く。
I go fishing targeting rockfish.
この辺りの根魚は煮付けにすると美味しい。
The rockfish around here are delicious when simmered.
底魚 refers broadly to bottom-dwelling fish, while 根魚 specifically implies fish associated with rocky structures or reefs.
Compound of 根 (ne, 'root' or 'base') and 魚 (sakana/uo, 'fish'), literally 'root fish', referring to fish that stay near the bottom around rocks or reefs.