Ages of the eels
Conger japonicus (
n=189) and
C. erebennus (
n=448) in Tokyo Bay were determined by otolith sectioning. The estimated age range of
C. japonicus specimens was 1+ to 6+ yr (modal range 2+ to 4+ yr), and of
C. erebennus 0+ to 11+ yr (modal range 5+ to 8+ yr). Many
C. erebennus taken measured over 1000 mm in total length and were more than 6+ yr.
C. erebennus is therefore characterized as a large-sized eel in comparison with
C. myriaster, for which size, age estimations and growth patterns are well documented. Males of
C. japonicus and
C. erebennus accounted for 2-6% of the specimens sampled in this study, suggesting that the population in Tokyo Bay is composed predominantly of females.
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