The Cololabis saira is the only species of the genus Cololabis in the order Cololabidae, and is one of the most important food fishes. Its scientific name, Cololabis saira, is taken from the local name of the species on the Kii Peninsula in Japan, where saira is Russian (сайра). The kanji for both Chinese and Japanese is 'oku-saburu' probably derived from its long, knife-like body and the fact that it is produced in the fall. It is a very common fish in some East Asian food cuisines. The body is rounded and rod-shaped; there are 5-6 small fins behind the dorsal fin and 6-7 free fins behind the anal fin; the two sides are quite raised, but not long-margined, and the teeth are weak; the back of the body is dark blue, the belly is silvery-white, and the end of the muzzle and the back of the caudal peduncle are slightly yellow.