Tatsuhiko Maeda

Hello, I'm Tatsuhiko Maeda

Studying giant mottled eels on Amami-Oshima Island.

About me

Profile Photo

Tatsuhiko Maeda

Ph.D in Agricultural and Life Sciences, the University of Tokyo
Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Tokyo

I am interested in the structure and interactions of ecosystems.
Beyond eels, I love a wide range of aquatic organisms.

Career

1999
Born in Isshiki Town, Aichi Prefecture, Japan
(famous for aquaculture of eels, my research life started here)
2014–2017
Aichi Prefectural Kariya High School
2017–2021
Kochi University, Faculty of Agriculture, Forestry and Marine Science, Department of Marine Resource Science
2021–2023
Master's Program, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, Aquatic Bioscience Specialization, University of Tokyo
2023–2026
Ph.D Program, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, Aquatic Bioscience Specialization, University of Tokyo
2026 (Apr–May)
Research Fellow, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, University of Tokyo
2026 (May–)
Postdoctoral Researcher, Biological Oceanography Group, Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute (AORI), University of Tokyo

Research

RFID tracking survey

Homing behavior of eels

We tracked eels after experimental displacement and characterized their homing behavior back to their original locations.

Macrobrachium placidulum record

Record of Macrobrachium placidulum

We documented the first record of Macrobrachium placidulum on the Amami-Oshima Island.
The species has been collected from several rivers and appears to be widely distributed throughout the island.

Publications

First-author Papers

  1. Maeda, T., Itakura, H., Wakiya, R., & Kimura, S. (2025) Development of a non-lethal stomach content analysis method for freshwater eels: An empirical evaluation of the tube method for Anguilla marmorata. Journal of Fish Biology, 107, 1995–2004. DOI
    PressRelease YouTube
  2. Maeda, T., Hagihara, S., Wakiya, R., & Kimura, S. (2024) Can displaced Anguilla marmorata return to their original habitat? Daily tracking study of their homing behavior. Journal of Fish Biology, 105(3), 998–1003. DOI
  3. Maeda, T., Uchiwa, K., & Fuke, Y. (2026) First record of Macrobrachium placidulum on Amami-Oshima Island. Fauna Ryukyuana, 77: 55-57. Coming soon...

Co-authored Papers

  1. Takeuchi, K., Maeda, T., Hagihara, S., Itakura, H., Kimura, S. & Wakiya, R. (2026) Rapid loss rates of farmed Japanese eels stocked into two different rivers. Fisheries Research, 293, 107647. DOI
  2. Takeuchi, K., Maeda, T., Hagihara, S., Itakura, H., Kimura, S. & Wakiya, R. (2026) High-resolution post-release movement of stocked Japanese eels Anguilla japonica tracked by a mobile radio frequency identification system. Fisheries Science, 92, 47–57. DOI
  3. Hagihara, S., Wakiya, R., Maeda, T., & Kimura, S. (2022) Morphological and gonadal histological characteristics of silver-phase male Anguilla marmorata. Journal of Fish Biology, 101(3), 749–752. DOI

Presentations

International Conferences

  • Maeda T., Wakiya R., Itakura H., Kimura S. Diet and feeding diversity of the giant mottled eel (Anguilla marmorata). 1st Asian International Eel Symposium, Amami, Japan. September 2025 Oral
  • Otaki S., Hara T., Maeda T., Hagihara S. Size at sex differentiation in the giant mottled eel Anguilla marmorata on Amami-Oshima Island: implication for a latitudinal cline. 1st Asian International Eel Symposium, Amami, Japan. September 2025 Poster
  • Maeda T., Wakiya R., Itakura H., Kimura S. Development of non-lethal method for feeding study of the giant mottled eel (Anguilla marmorata). 12th International Fisheries Symposium 2024, Hakodate, Japan. November 2024 Poster
  • Maeda T., Wakiya R., Itakura H., Kimura S. A non-lethal method for feeding research of giant mottled eels (Anguilla marmorata). 2nd UK International Eel Science Symposium, Liverpool, UK. July 2024 Poster
  • Takeuchi K., Wakiya R., Maeda T., Hagihara S., Itakura H., Anraku K., Kotani T., Kimura S. Rapid Loss Rates of Farmed Japanese Eels Stocked into Two Different Rivers. 2nd UK International Eel Science Symposium, Liverpool, UK. July 2024 Oral
  • Takeuchi K., Wakiya R., Maeda T., Itakura H., Hagihara S., Anraku K., Kotani T., Kimura S. Short-Term Apparent Survival Rate of Farmed-And-Stocked Japanese Eels. 9th World Fisheries Congress, Seattle, USA. March 2024 Poster

Grants & Scholarships

2023–2026
Next-generation Researcher Challenge Program (SPRING-GX, JST)
2025–2026
Spontaneous Fusion Project Research Program, SPRING-GX
2025–2026
River Fund, River Foundation
2024–2025
River Fund, River Foundation
2023–2024
Spontaneous Fusion Project Research Program, SPRING-GX
2023–2024
River Fund, River Foundation
2022–2023
Hattori International Scholarship, Hattori Scholarship Foundation

Outreach & Media

  • 2025.9.13 1st Asian Eel Symposium in Amami, Public Lecture Website News Topic: "Ecology of the Giant Mottled Eels in Amami Rivers" (Featured in local news)
  • 2024.9.14 Local Newspaper Feature News Research on eel ecology and development of non-lethal survey methods
  • 2024.2.24 2nd Amami Islands Seashore Organisms Study Group (Amami Marine Exhibition Hall) News Presentation: "Behavior of Giant Mottled Eels in Amami" (Featured in local news)
  • 2022–2023 Marine Challenge Program Research Coach (Research guidance for high school students)

Contact

Affiliation

Biological Oceanography Group
Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute (AORI)
the University of Tokyo
5-1-5 Kashiwa-no-ha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-8564, Japan

Email

tatsuhikomaeda707[at]gmail.com

Links