flathead silverside
A species of silverside fish (Hypoatherina valenciennei) found in coastal waters of the western Pacific. The name is usually written in katakana.
Flathead silversides are often seen in shallow coastal waters.
Katakana spelling is standard for this fish name; usually written in kana.
Ateji kanji spelling; rarely used in practice.
Ateji kanji spelling; rarely used in practice.
The name likely derives from a combination of a personal name (藤五郎 or 頭五郎) and 鰯 (iwashi, 'sardine'), but the exact origin is uncertain.