| Family: |
Anguillidae (Freshwater eels) |
| Max. size: |
150 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 1,889.0 g |
| Environment: |
demersal; freshwater; brackish; marine; depth range 1 - 400 m, catadromous |
| Distribution: |
Asia: Japan to the East China Sea, Taiwan, Korea, China and northern Philippines. Spawning grounds of this species are presumed to be in the western Mariana Islands, at a salinity front near 15°N and 140°E (Ref. 54488). Most expensive food fish in Japan. Introduced elsewhere. |
| Diagnosis: |
Vertebrae: 114-118. Plain-colored. |
| Biology: |
Spawning occurs in the sea; small eels ascend the rivers in schools; develop and grow in freshwater. The species may crawl over land at night from one place to another (Ref. 5258, 11230). Adults feed on crustaceans, insects and fish (Ref. 5258). Maximum weight given (1889 g) has a maximum length of 100.8 cm TL in Ref. 82795. Utilized fresh, smoked, canned and frozen; eaten steamed, broiled and baked (Ref. 9988). Used in Chinese medicine (Ref. 12166). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Endangered (EN); Date assessed: 06 November 2018 (A2bcd) Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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