The Ugui is widespread along the Pacific coast of the Far East from the Shantar Islands to the south of Kyushu Island. It is found on the islands of Sakhalin, Hokkaido, and Honshu. The body of the Ugui is slightly flattened from the sides with relatively large scales. The back is black, the sides and belly are light-coloured. Dorsal and caudal fins with dark edges. During the spawning season, this fish has three orange-red stripes along the lateral line. The lips and fins become orange-red. The length of an adult can reach half a meter with a weight of about 2 kg.