An aquarium is asking people to help its lonely eels. The aquarium is in Tokyo and has many garden eels. They are usually very shy. They go into their holes in the sand when someone is there. The eels are used to seeing visitors and stay above their holes. Staff are worried the eels are getting lonely. The eels may forget what humans look like. The aquarium wants people to make video calls to the eels. There are special tablets in front of the eel tanks.

No visitors means the eels became very shy. They could get stressed when people visit again. It is difficult for staff to check on the eels' health because they are staying in their holes. The aquarium tweeted: "They aren't seeing humans so they are forgetting about us.…Could you show your face to our garden eels from your home?" The staff want eels to know that "humans are friendly". The aquarium has a three-day "face-showing festival".