The Eels Anguilla marmorata and A. japonica in the Pearl River, China, and Hong Kong

Abstract

Anguilla marmorata live in small numbers in the wide muddy Pearl River (Zhujiang) on the southern coast of China and in clear fast-flowi ng streams of Hong Kong. Females grew to 28 kg and 180 cm and perhaps 17 years old. Females migrated to sea during October-December at average weight of 11 kg, average length 150 cm and average estimated age 15 years, with ovaries which were about 3% of the body weight, ova of about 0.2 mm diameter, and body fat content of about 22%. Large eels are extremely valuable in the Hong Kong restaurant trade. Anguilla japonica live in low-lying muddy waters. Commercially caught eels were mostly 3-5 years old and 40-70 cm long, and females migrated to sea during October and November.