Daily Growth Increments and Lunar Pattern in Otolith of the Eel, Anguilla japonica, in the Freshwater

The eels, Anguilla japonica, were reared in a tank with daily feeding for up to 97 days, and otoliths were regularly collected for the observation of their microstructures. Microscopic observation of the thin-sectioned otolith under dark field provided significant information on daily growth increments as well as the difference in visual contrast shown by the increments. Clearly defined elver mark formed during the metamorphosis from leptocephalus to the elver can be considered as the origin of the age for the sedentary yellow eel in continental water. The close correspondence between the number of increments outside elver mark and chronological age in days from the beginning of feeding indicates that increment deposition on a daily basis was initiated with the start of feeding for the sedentary yellow eel. Either 7 or 14 daily growth increments were grouped together into 2 alternative units, each distinguished by prominent checks or by visual contrast. The absence of any apparent environmental variations with 7 or 14 day period in the reared tank implies that the phase of the moon could be a zeitgeber for the endogenous rhythm.