Species · GBIF taxon 5213022
Japanese Eel
Anguilla japonicaAlso known as Nihon Unagi, Japanese Freshwater Eel
Japanese eels embark on an extraordinary multi-thousand-kilometer journey from their freshwater river homes to spawn in the deep waters near the Mariana Trench. Their slender, snake-like bodies are coated in a protective mucus layer that allows them to travel overland through wet grass to bypass river obstacles. As they mature from translucent glass eels into dark, silver-bellied adults, they play a vital role as nocturnal predators in East Asian river ecosystems.
CatadromousEndangeredMigratory
Licensed referenceopencage / CC BY-SA 2.5 · CC BY-SA 2.5
- diet
- Carnivorous, feeding on aquatic insects, crustaceans, and small fish
- family
- Anguillidae
- threats
- Overfishing of glass eels, river dams blocking migration, and habitat loss
- life Span
- 5 to 15 years
EN
Can deliver a sharp bite if handled; observe from a safe distance without touching.
Overfishing of juvenile glass eels for aquaculture and river barriers have caused a drastic decline in their global population.
Avoid disturbing migrating eels, support river restoration projects, and never harvest wild individuals.- Nighttime Spotting: Use a red-light flashlight to observe these nocturnal hunters foraging along riverbanks without startling them.
- Support Conservation: Avoid purchasing wild-caught glass eels or uncertified eel products to help reduce pressure on wild populations.
- Report Sightings: Document any encounters in local waterways on citizen science platforms to assist researchers tracking their range.