What is the difference between masago and tobiko?

Question

I'm a new sushi eater and I was wondering if there is a difference? I know that they are both fish eggs- are both smelt eggs?

Answer 1

"Tobiko" is flying fish roe (eggs) and "masago" is capellin roe. I've heard they are very similar in taste, though tobiko is slightly larger in overall size.

The key differance is price. Tobiko is generally more expensive than masago, which is the reason a good many sushi restraunts and bars use masago as topping instead of tobiko.  

Answer 2

Tobiko is flying fish roe.  Masago is smelt.  Tobiko is larger than masago.  In terms of biology, tobiko and masago belong to the same kingdom, phylum, and class, but belong to different orders and families.  They taste very similar though.