Paracaesio caerulea

"Paracaesio caerulea", or Japanese Snapper, known in sushi restaurants as "Tai," is the authentic form of Red Snapper served in traditional Japanese restaurants. The common fare of "Red Snapper" in typical Sushi restaurants throughout the USA is actually a variety of Tilapia, known as "Izumi Dai" in Japanese. Not only are the tastes and textures of each form of fish significantly different, they also dwell in completely different aquatic environments, Tilapia being a fresh water fish and Japanese snapper inhabiting the Pacific Ocean.