It is called “gaya” because it can be caught in large numbers.
*Hurly-burly is expressed as wai-wai-gaya-gaya in Japanese.

They have sensory organs called "taste buds" that allow them to search for food. When they spread their whiskers wide, they are looking for food.

They can be seen in the waters of Noboribetsu and Muroran during the warmer months of June through August.
They come to the waters of Hokkaido during the period when they are mating.

When viewed from underwater, their white bellies allow them to blend in with the sunlight, making them harder to spot by other creatures.

In the sea, they eat mainly fish, squid & octopus.
At Noboribetsu Marine Park Nixe, we feed them mackerel, okhotsk atka mackerel, horse mackerel, & sand lance.