A rare “fair-skinned” Japanese eel in Sumasui? Kobe City Suma

The exhibition of “Japanese eels,” which are believed to be bleached individuals (white variant), began on November 26 at the Kobe Municipal Suma Seaside Aquarium (Suma Ward, Kobe City).

Both a bleached “white Japanese eel” and a common-colored Japanese eel are on display in a booth on the second floor of the main building, allowing visitors to compare the difference between the two.
A bleached individual Japanese eel
At first glance, it may appear to be an albino eel, but it is believed to be a “bleached” individual, in which the genetic information that makes the body color white is expressed, resulting in a decrease in other pigments and a whitening of the body color, since black eyes = expression of melanin pigment.
Because of its conspicuous appearance, the melanistic pigment is easily exposed to predators, and it is very rare to find a “bleached” individual in the wild, as they tend to live shorter lives than those with a more common body color.

The
booth also has a
comparison exhibit with a common-colored Japanese eel, so you may be able to find differences other than body color by comparing the two.
It looks like a “white snake,” and I am sure I am not the only one who feels that it brings good luck. Maybe I should go make a wish that next year will be a good one!

Details

Exhibition Period

November 26, 2022 (Saturday) ～

Place

:

Kobe City Suma Seaside Aquarium
(1-3-5 Wakamiyacho, Suma-ku, Kobe)

Open

Hours:

9:00 – 17:00 (last admission 16:00)

Admission

Adults (18 years and older) 700 yen
Junior high
school students (15-17 years) 400 yen
Children (elementary and junior high school students

)

300 yen
Free for infants

Closed

:

Wednesdays (except year-end and New Year holidays)

Remarks

*Subject to change or cancellation due to changes in social conditions caused by the spread of the new cor

onavirus

*Please cooperate with measures to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus as specified by the Aquarium

• Official website of Kobe City Suma Aqualife Park

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• ttps://kobe-sumasui.jp/news/white_eel/