This fish, with large eyes and a big mouth, and a bright red body, is commonly known as "Kinki" in Hokkaido. Its official name is "Kichiji." In the eastern Hokkaido region, such as in Kushiro, it is called "Menme." Due to its red color and similar shape, it is sometimes confused with the Kinmedai (splendid alfonsino), but it is actually a completely different type of white-fleshed fish. During its peak season, it has a high fat content and is traded as a very delicious and high-quality fish.

It is found on both the Okhotsk Sea side and the Pacific Ocean side, inhabiting the continental shelf slopes at depths of 150 to 1200 meters. Smaller fish are found in shallower areas, while larger fish are more commonly found in deeper waters. Unlike other fish species that make large migrations, Kinki fish tend to make only seasonal depth changes and have a strong tendency to settle around rocky reef areas. Although Kinki is a deep-sea species, it lacks a swim bladder, which allows it to be processed as live fish even when caught from deep waters.