noun
conger eel; garden eel
Refers to the common Japanese conger eel (Conger myriaster) and similar species. Often used in cooking.
今夜の夕食はアナゴの天ぷらだ。
Tonight's dinner is conger eel tempura.
水族館でアナゴが砂から顔を出しているのを見た。
I saw garden eels poking their heads out of the sand at the aquarium.
Rarely used kanji form.
Unagi is freshwater eel, while anago is saltwater conger eel. Unagi is often grilled with a sweet soy sauce, while anago is commonly simmered or used in tempura.
The word likely derives from 穴 (ana, 'hole') + 子 (ko, 'child' or diminutive suffix), referring to the eel's habit of hiding in holes. The exact origin is uncertain.