The Japanese garden eel (Gorgasia japonica) is a saltwater fish of the family Congridae that grows up to 100 cm.
Description
The Japanese garden eel is a garden eel (Congridae) from the western Pacific, off Japan. The species grows to about 1 metre but is very thin and lives in colonies: each animal protrudes from a self-dug vertical burrow in the sandy bottom, with the forebody curved into the current to snap at drifting zooplankton. When threatened it quickly withdraws into its burrow. A dense colony looks like a waving garden. The fish is harmless to humans.
Frequently asked questions
How do you recognise the Japanese garden eel?
The Japanese garden eel has a snake-like body and is mainly silver-grey.
Where does the Japanese garden eel live?
The Japanese garden eel lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.
How big does the Japanese garden eel get?
The Japanese garden eel grows to a maximum of about 100 cm.
Is the Japanese garden eel dangerous to humans?
No, the Japanese garden eel is harmless to humans.
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All data
Identification
Appearance
Habitat & distribution
Behaviour & biology
For anglers
Safety
Status & sources
Same genus Gorgasia
More from the family Congridae
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