Fin's Fish Guide
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. Asia: Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Indonesia, Japan, New Zealand
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. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.
Want the complete picture on the Japanese garden eel?
Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Japanese garden eel is one of 12,519 species in the app.
All data
Identification
Appearance
Habitat & distribution
Behaviour & biology
For anglers
Safety
Status & sources
Same genus Gorgasia
More from the family Congridae
Want the complete picture on the Japanese garden eel?
Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Japanese garden eel is one of 12,519 species in the app.