11 July 2011

Leptocephalus

This is the larva of an eel.  (The name translates to "thin head.")  Additional information at the Wired Science source and at Wikipedia.
The leptocephali of the common Japanese conger, Conger myriaster, are called Noresore·のれそれ in Kochi Prefecture, Japan, and are often served un-cooked to the table, and are eaten after dipping in Tosazu mixed vinegar. It is a spring seasonal specialty.
I bet they're not very filling.

5 comments:

  1. Legal Eagle and His BeagleJuly 11, 2011 at 2:54 PM

    Just added that to my food bucket list. You've got to love Japanese cuisine!

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  2. Mama BeanJuly 11, 2011 at 4:26 PM

    didn't realize fish could have a larval stage, that's my learned-something-new for today!

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  3. MaraKJuly 11, 2011 at 7:00 PM

    I agree with Mama Bean, I didn't think eels were ever anything other than eels. The more you knowww...

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  4. HeavenlyJaneJuly 11, 2011 at 10:50 PM

    I hate to gush like a girl but that little larvae is seriously cute.

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  5. AnonymousJuly 12, 2011 at 1:42 PM

    Post-larval eels are known as "glass eels" because they're pretty well transparent, like this one. Then they become "elvers", or young eels.

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