臺灣發現的最大型鱸鰻

The Largest Giant Mottled Eel Anguilla marmorata Discovered in Taiwan

西元1991年12月8日在台灣北部淡水河上游支流新店溪的梅花湖畔發現了一條大型鰻魚，長約148.4 cm。從皮膚花紋及形態來判斷，這尾鰻魚應該是鱸鰻（Anguilla marmorata Quoy & Gaimard，1824）。從鱗上的年輪研判，估計其年齡超過12歲，是目前台灣記錄且正式發表過最大的鱸鰻。鱸鰻過去在台灣曾被列入珍貴稀有保育類野生動物，在2009年解禁前任何的捕捉及養殖行為都是違法的，因此對於鱸鰻的基礎生物學所知相當有限，本研究所提供的基礎生物學資訊對於鱸鰻的保育具有重要的參考價值。

An anguillid eel measuring 148.4 cm in total length was found on December 08, 1991, in an oxbow lake of Xindian Stream, a tributary of Tanshui River in northern Taiwan. Colour pattern and morphological characters indicate that this was a giant mottled eel Anguilla marmorata Quoy & Gaimard, 1824. Based on the annulus in the scales, the age of the eel was estimated to be approximately more than 12 years old. It is the oldest native eel that has been recorded and reported in Taiwan. A. marmorata was considered as an endangered species in Taiwan and its capture and aquaculture was illegal before the ban was lifted in 2009. Because of the ban its basic biology is poorly known. This study provides some basic information that is important for its conservation.