A brief perspective on Japanese eel (Anguilla japonica Temminck & Schlegel, 1846) an indispensable part of Japanese culture

Abstract

<em>Anguilla japonica,</em> also known as Japanese eel, is an integral part of Japanese culture from centuries. This fish spawns in the Mariana islands,&nbsp;and subsequently the larval stages migrate towards east Asia. Whereas, the sexually maturing eels return back to the spawning grounds in the ocean. Being commercially vital, the glass eels are intensively captured to be used in aquaculture systems along east Asia.&nbsp;This practice along with the climate change contributes to a significant decline in the Japanese eel population. Further, to counteract the increasing demand of Japanese eel in domestic market, their mass production through aquaculture systems require a higher amount of innovation in terms of their feeding and rearing technology. Here we have summed up all the important information about the Japanese eel based on the thorough survey of already published literature. Overall, this review will be useful for a better understanding of the currently available information pertaining to the species.