European Eel

"Maximum longevity: 88 years (captivity) Observations: In the wild, these semelparous animals die after first spawning. After transformation from juvenile to adult stage they do not eat and feature elevated corticosteroids while they migrate to the Sargasso Sea to spawn. Preventing migration by keeping animals in captivity significantly extends lifespan. One female called "Putte", generally assumed to be a European eel, died at Halsinborgs Museum in Sweden at about 88 years of age (Caleb Finch 1990). In the wild, animals do not commonly live more than 10-15 years, though it is possible some live up to 30 years (http://www.fishbase.org/)."

European eel populations are not currently threatened.

US Federal List: no special status

CITES: no special status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: critically endangered

European eels are preyed upon by larger eels and other fish and fish-consuming birds, such as cormorants (Phalacrocorax) and herons (Ardeidae) (Deelder, 1970). One defense mechanism employed by eels is that they hide under rocks and burrow in the sand, thus avoiding their predators. The coloring of eels at various life stagies (i.e. the transparency of leptocephali, the dark grey to green color of adults, etc.) also serves as camouflage.

Known Predators:

• herons (Ardeidae)
• cormorants (Phalacrocoracidae)
• predatory fish (Actinopterygii)

Anti-predator Adaptations: cryptic

The appearance of European eels varies greatly depending on life stage. As leptocephali, European eels are small, leaflike, and transparent (Deelder, 1970). After metamorphosing into the silver stage, European eels appear silvery in color with elongated dorsal and anal fins that are continuous with the caudal fin (Deelder, 1970). European eels lack pelvic fins (Deelder, 1970). Upon full sexual maturation, European eels develop enlarged eyes, lose their ability to feed, and turn green, yellow or brownish in color (Van Ginniken and Thillhart, 2000).

Female eels are generally substantially larger than males. The largest recorded mass of a female eel is 6.599 g (Dekker, van Os and van Willigen, 1998). The maximum published length of a European eel was 133 cm.

Range mass: 6,599 (high) g.

Range length: 133 (high) cm.

Other Physical Features: ectothermic ; heterothermic ; bilateral symmetry

Sexual Dimorphism: female larger

The lifespan of European eels is dependent on maturation time because once eels mature and spawn, they die. European eels can spawn as early as 7 years old. The maximum reported age of a European eel in the wild is 85 years (Dekker, van Os and van Willigen, 1998).

Range lifespan
Status: wild: 85 (high) years.

Typical lifespan
Status: wild: 7 (low) years.

Average lifespan
Status: captivity: 55.0 years.

Depending on the lifestage of the individual eel, European eels can be found in marine, freshwater, and brackish aquatic environments. Typically, the European eel is found in depths of 0-700 m, most often on the floor of the ocean or river in which it is living.

Range depth: 0 to 700 m.

Habitat Regions: saltwater or marine ; freshwater

Aquatic Biomes: benthic ; coastal ; brackish water

Other Habitat Features: estuarine

The geographic range of adult European eels includes the English Channel and coasts of the Mediterranean Sea and northern Atlantic Ocean from Iceland to Mauritania (Ringuet et al., 2002). Their range also encompasses the Baltic and North Seas, as well as all accessible continental or coastal hydrosystems (Ringuet et al., 2002). In the early spring months, European eels migrate to the Sargasso sea for breeding. Larvae are hatched from the Sargasso Sea and can also be found along the coast of Europe. Silver (juvenile) stage eels of Anguilla anguilla live in tributaries along the European coast.

Biogeographic Regions: palearctic (Native ); atlantic ocean (Native ); mediterranean sea (Native )

European eels have completely different diets during different life stages. No food contents have ever been discovered in the guts of leptocephali, therefore their diet is unknown (Fisheries Global Information System, 2005). Glass eels consume insect larvae, dead fish, and small crustaceans (Sinha and Jones, 1975). Adult eels have a fairly broad diet and eat freshwater, marine, or terrestrial fauna. Their primary food source is aquatic invertebrates, but they will eat essentially any food they can find-- even dead organisms (Sinha and Jones, 1975). European eels are reported to leap out of the water during the winter and feed on terrestrial invertebrates (Deedler, 1970).

Animal Foods: fish; eggs; carrion ; insects; mollusks; terrestrial worms; aquatic or marine worms; aquatic crustaceans; zooplankton

Other Foods: detritus

Primary Diet: carnivore (Insectivore , Eats non-insect arthropods, Molluscivore , Eats other marine invertebrates, Scavenger )

European eels are both a food source and a predator of organisms in their ecosystem. They are consumed by birds and large predatory fish (Deelder, 1970). European eels also act as a host for the nematode Aguillicola crassus which infects the swim bladders of European eels (Deelder, 1970). European eels distribute nutrients between marine and freshwater ecosystems because they migrate between those habitats (Deelder, 1970).

Commensal/Parasitic Species:

• Anguillicola crassus

European eels are a popular food source for humans, especially in Europe and Asia. The eels also feed on the eggs of predatory fish such as trout, which keep ecosystems from overpopulation (Deelder, 1970).

Positive Impacts: food ; controls pest population

European eels thrive on a diet of marine and freshwater fauna, so impact populations of other marine and freshwater organisms (Deelder, 1970). There are no direct adverse effects to humans.

European eels begin their life cycle as eggs on the bottom of the Sargasso Sea. They hatch as leptocephali, leaf-like larvae (Tsukamoto, Nakai and Tesch, 1998). After hatching, larvae spend a maximum of one year migrating to Europe, or occasionally North America, via ocean currents. The larvae will then metamorphose into 'glass eels,' the next stage of the life cycle, and enter estuarine areas. Male glass eels contineu to grow for approximately 6 to 12 years; females for 9 to 20 years (Deelder, 1970). After a final metamorphosis, European eels migrate back to the Sargasso Sea to spawn.

Development - Life Cycle: metamorphosis

European eels sense the environment using their sense of taste. They have been shown to locate necessary amino acids via chemotaxis (Sola and Tongiorgi, 1998). European eels also utilize olfaction, most probably for homing purposes. There is little if any documentation of social communication between eels (Deelder, 1970).

Perception Channels: visual ; tactile ; chemical

European eels can survive, and even reproduce, at temperatures as low as 0°C. Optimum temperatures for gametogenesis in Anguilla anguilla are between 0°C and 30°C (Deelder, 1970)-- quite a large range!

Upon reaching sexual maturity, European eels migrate from freshwater streams back to the Sargasso Sea in order to spawn and die in the late winter months to the early summer months. European eel males release sperm into the water in which female European eels have already laid eggs, thereby fertilizing the eggs (Horie et al., 2004). Very little is known about the actual spawning mechanism, and time to hatching is variable.

Mating System: polygynandrous (promiscuous)

European eels spawn during the late winter to early spring months. There is little information on their reproduction, but since European eels are closely related to Japanese eels, Anguilla japonica, similar breeding patterns might be assumed. Female A. japonica can lay from 2,000,000 to 10,000,000 eggs, but die soon after spawning (Deelder, 1970). Eel larvae are independent from time of birth until time of death.

Breeding interval: European eels breed only once during their lifetime. Once spawning is complete, European eels die .

Breeding season: European eels spawn in late winter to early spring.

Range number of offspring: 2,000,000 to 10,000,000.

Range age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female): 9 to 20 years.

Range age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male): 6 to 12 years.

Key Reproductive Features: semelparous ; seasonal breeding ; gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); sexual ; fertilization (External ); broadcast (group) spawning; oviparous

European eels invest a substantial amount of energy in reproduction, and die shortly thereafter (Deelder, 1970). Consequently, the only resource that female eels give to their offspring is enough food source to last the egg until hatching. After hatching, the larvae are completely independent and able to find food (Lecomte-Finiger, 1994).

Parental Investment: no parental involvement; pre-fertilization (Provisioning)

The common eel has a fascinating life-cycle; it is a 'catadromous' species, breeding in the sea and migrating to freshwater in order to grow before returning to the sea to spawn (4). It is thought that all European eels spawn in the Sargasso Sea. The larvae, which look like curled leaves and are known as 'leptocephalli', drift in the plankton for up to three years (2), and are carried by the Gulf Stream towards the coasts of Europe (3). They then undergo metamorphosis into young eels; at this stage they are known as 'glass eels' because they are transparent (2). They become darker in colour and start to migrate up freshwater streams in large numbers; they are known as 'elvers' at this time and measure around 50 mm in length (2). The eels, now called 'brown' or 'yellow eels' grow in freshwater (5), with males and females spending 6 to 12 and 9 to 20 years in freshwater, respectively (3). Towards the end of this time, they become sexually mature; they turn a silvery colour and migrate back towards the sea on dark, moonless and stormy nights; during this time they are known as 'silver eels' (5). Upon returning to the sea, the common eel lives in mud, crevices, and under stones (3). Spawning occurs during winter and early spring in the Sargasso Sea (3). This is a very long-lived species with a maximum life span of 85 years (3). This eel is predated upon by birds, including cormorants and gulls, as well as a number of species of fish (3). Remarkably, they can survive out of water for several hours on damp nights; they may travel overland on dark rainy nights (7).

The European Union is currently funding research that aims to halt the decline of the common eel population (6).

The common or European eel has a very unusual and fascinating life cycle. Adults have long, narrow bodies, with a continuous dorsal, anal and tail-fin (2). The skin is slimy, the lower jaw is longer than the upper jaw, and the scales are tiny or absent (2). The colour of adults depends on their age; they are often brown, black or olive-green with yellowish bellies. Some adults may be silvery (known as 'silver eels'); the lifecycle stages differ greatly in appearance (2).

Part of the common eel's life cycle is spent in the sea, and part in freshwater rivers. It is often common on the shore (2).

Found in the rivers of the North Atlantic, Baltic and Mediterranean Seas; it also occurs along European coasts from the Black Sea to the White Sea in Russia. Spawning takes place in the Sargasso Sea in the western Atlantic (3).

Classified as Critically Endangered (CR) on the IUCN Red List (1).

The population of the common eel is threatened at present, and eel stocks have declined in recent years. However, there is currently very little scientific knowledge of this species, which would aid its management. The threats facing the species are unknown, however, pollution, overfishing, habitat degradation, parasite infection and changes in climate have all been forwarded as potential causes of the decline (6).

In Great Britain and/or Ireland:
Animal / parasite / endoparasite
Acanthocephalus lucii endoparasitises anterior intestine of Anguilla anguilla

Animal / parasite / endoparasite
metacaria (diplostomula) of Diplostomum spathaceum endoparasitises eye (lens) of Anguilla anguilla

Animal / parasite / ectoparasite
Ergasilus gibbus ectoparasitises gill of Anguilla anguilla

Animal / parasite / endoparasite
Trypanosoma granulosum endoparasitises blood of Anguilla anguilla
Other: sole host/prey

Eels are mysterious fish. It is still unknown as to where the females lay their eggs. Juvenile eels look very different than adults so that people also used to think that they were two different species of fish. Eel can live in fresh as well as salt water. As long as the ground is wet enough, they can move on land. Eels are momentarily threatened by overfishing. Obstacles between fresh and salt water also form a problem. In 2007, the eel was declared as a protected animal species. A European recovery plan has been developed.

The European eel, Anguilla anguilla, is one of 19 species in their genus, found in the Northern Atlantic south to Mauritius, the Mediterranean, North and Baltic Seas and the rivers that feed into these ocean bodies.They are a popular food fish, and have been fished for centuries.Like other anguillid eels, European eels have a complex life history, spending most of their life in the “yellow eel” growth phase, during which they inhabit the bottoms of fresh and brackish continental waters.European eels can live more than 50 years in this stage, but more typical is about 20 years; females generally live longer than males and grow to be about twice the size.The record length for a female European eel is 133 cm (4.4 feet).Upon reaching sexual maturity, the eels, now in the “silver eels” phase, migrate long distances to spawn in the Sargasso Sea in the western Atlantic between March and July.This migratory phase of their lifestyle is recently described, poorly understood. Adults die after spawning.The planktonic larvae, which until recently had been described as a separate species as they look so different from adults, hatch at sea and drift back to continental waters where they develop into small, transparent “glass eel” larvae. They metamorphose into the pigmented elver stage as they begin to feed and travel to freshwater inland rivers, lakes, streams and estuaries to complete their development.Nocturnal opportunist carnivores, they eat a broad diversity of fish and invertebrates, and will also scavenge on dead organisms.

The European eel is critically endangered, its population in a significantly depleted state such that the IUCN cites that it may not in fact be able to recover unless a long-term, stringent recovery plan is instated. Since 1980 it has experienced a disappearance of older eels and a 90% reduction in the recruitment of its glass-eel stage across the full extent of its range, and there is no sign of population recovery.The full explanation for the recruitment and population crash of these eels is not fully understood.Heavy, unsustainable fishing of all life stages continues to impact a downward decline of the population.Its popularity especially in Asian cuisine brings enormous demand and extremely high prices. As yet, anguillid eels have not been bred in captivity but captured glass eel stages are widely farmed.In addition to overfishing, A. anguilla suffers from a nematode parasite, Anguillicola crassus, introduced by Japanese eels (A. japonica) farmed in Europe in large open pens alongside A. anguilla.European eel decline is also partly due to habitat loss and degredation, dams, which disrupt migration routes, climate change effecting spawning areas, and other anthropomorphic activity.Seafood Watch, a highly-regarded sustainable seafood advisory list, recommends that consumers avoid eating A. anguilla.

(Freyhof and Kottelat 2010; Halpin 2007)

Exploited at all stages of their freshwater life (as elvers migrating up river, as feeding yellow eels, and as silver eels migrating down river), eel-fishing gear are very diverse: trawls, electric fishing, spears, traps and pots, hooks, weirs, rakes, pound nets, fyke nets, and others. Elvers are caught for eating, but most are used to stock heavily fishes areas or to maintain intensive pond culture of eels, as in Japan. Utilized fresh, dried/salted, smoked and frozen.

Juveniles inhabit rivers, streams, lake ponds, estuaries and coastal lagoons. They live on the bottom, under stones, in the mud or in crevices.Is an individualist in all its stages. The schools of elvers and young eels which are observed from time to time in estuaries and rivers are a mass response to outward conditions and not of active assembling.As eggs in mid-waters of Sargasso Sea, as leptocephali in North Atlantic surface waters, as glass eels in estuaries and brackish lagoons and later, from elvers to the downstream spawning migration, in streams, ponds and lakes. The downstream spawning migration, usually from late spring to winter, is largely confined to moonless or dark nights and usually in flood water after heavy rain. Very little is known on their oceanic migration; once enter the ocean their migration routes to spawning grounds are not unequivocally known, as few silver eels have been taken at sea.The european eel diet is composed almost entirely of bottom-living organisms: in two British rivers, this species feed mainly on fish (70 and 33 % by volume respectively) and oligochaeta (12 and 18 % by volume respectively); dipteran larvae, and trichopteran and ephemeropteran nymphs, were more numerous and more frequently found than any other food organisms (Sinha & Jones, 1975). According to Deelder (1985), its food includes virtually the whole aquatic fauna (freshwater as well as marine) occurring in the eel's area, augmented with animals living out of water, e.g. worms. On spawning migration the feeding cease. The means of obtaining nutrients during the premetamorphic growth interval is unknown since no food has ever been found in the gut of any eel leptocephalus, although these leptocephalus larvae have been studied for years by many different workers. Pfeiler (1986) suggest that premetamorphic larvae obtain a significant fraction of their nutritional needs by absorbing dissolved organic matter across surface epitelia. A. anguilla is a catadromous semelparous species; when the male yellow eel reach a length of 30-40 cm (usually 6-12 years old) and the females 55-65 cm (10-20 years old), they begin migrating to the sea; at this stage the eyes enlarge, the snout becomes narrower and more pointed and the pectoral fins more lanceolate. The colour changes from yellowish on belly (yellow eel stage) to silver (silver eel stage). Gametogenesis occurs entirely during migration. Schmidt (1922) estimated that the northern area of the Sargasso Sea, in the western North Atlantic, may be the spawning ground of this species. However, this area has not been confirmed by the presence of eggs, small larvae or spawning adults (Baker, 1978). European eels are thought to spawn at ocean depths of 400-700 m in mid-water in late winter and early spring (Bertelsen, 1967). The eggs are pelagic and the leaf-like larvae (leptocephali) of gradually increasing size drifting for 3 years north-east across the Atlantic to arrive on western European coasts (more than this time to arrive to east Mediterranean coasts). Metamorphosis into cylindrical unpigmented "glass eel" takes place over the continental shelf before migrating upstream as pigmented elvers. It has been claimed that the eels in marine habitats are males, while the freshwater eels are females, but this does not appear to be always true: some males are found in fresh water, and some female yellow eels, up to 76 cm in length, are encountered in whole marine habitats. Tsukamoto & Arai (2001) confirm the occurrence of several ecophenotypes for Anguilla japonica.

To 137 cm (females) or 51 cm (males), but usually 40-60 cm (females) and 30-40 cm (males). Maximum weight: 9 Kg (Wheeler, 1969).

From Iceland and Norway (but extremely rare north of Finmark and White Sea) to the African coasts at about 25º N; also in Madeira, Azores and Canary Islands; entering Mediterranean, Black Sea and Sea of Azov; larvae are pelagic in north Atlantic (Bauchot, 1986; Smith, 1990).

Body elongate, cylindrical anteriorly, somewhat compressed posteriorly. Head rather long. Eye always rounded, small in young and yellow eels, large in silver eels. Lower jaw longer than the upper and protruding. Teeth minute, set in bands in both jaws and in a patch on vomer. Gill openings small and vertical, restricted to sides. Dorsal and anal fins confluent with caudal fin; the dorsal fin originates far behind the pectorals; anal fin origin slightly behind anus, well back from origin of dorsal fin. Pectoral fins small and rounded. Pelvic fins absent. D:245-275; A:205-255; Vertebrae: 110-119. Lateral line conspicuous. It has minute, elliptical scales embedded in the skin. Adults in freshwater are greenish-brown on black, yellowish on belly (yellow eel stage), changing to blackish on back and bright silvery on sides and belly (silver-eel stage during spawning migration). Leptocephali and glass-eel stage transparent, elvers greenish-brown; very rarely orange coloured specimens are reported.

Vibriosis of eel (acute). Bacterial diseases

Flexibacter Disease. Parasitic infestations (protozoa, worms, etc.)

Glugea. Parasitic infestations (protozoa, worms, etc.)

Edwardsiellosis. Bacterial diseases

Elongated, anguilliform body (Ref. 51442), cylindrical anteriorly, somewhat compressed posteriorly (Ref. 6125). Lower jaw slightly longer and projecting (Ref. 6125, Ref. 51442). Gill openings small and vertical, restricted to the sides (Ref. 6125). Elongated dorsal and anal fins, confluent with caudal fin (Ref. 6125, Ref. 51442), forming one unique fin from the anus to the middle of the back with minimum 500 soft rays (Ref. 40476). Dorsal fin origin far behind pectoral fins; anal fin origin slightly behind anus, well back from origin of dorsal fin (Ref. 6125). Pelvic fins absent (Ref. 2196, Ref. 51442). Greenbrown colored (Ref. 51442).

Streptococcal Infection. Parasitic infestations (protozoa, worms, etc.)

Vibriosis Disease (general). Bacterial diseases

Gyrodactylogyrus Infestation. Parasitic infestations (protozoa, worms, etc.)

Branchiomyces Disease. Parasitic infestations (protozoa, worms, etc.)

Catadromous species. When sexual maturity is reached they leave the river. Spawning migrations occur mainly during the second half of the year but have been observed year-round, usually commencing during dark nights (Ref. 172). Maturity is obtained during the spawning migration (Ref. 88171). Actual spawning has never been observed but is believed to occur solely in the Sargasso Sea between March and June (Ref. 89144). After spawning (at 600 m depth) adults die. Sigmund Freud described the testicles of eel (Ref. 72449).

Catadromous. Migrating from freshwater to the sea to spawn, e.g., European eels. Subdivision of diadromous. Migrations should be cyclical and predictable and cover more than 100 km.

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Analspines: 0; Vertebrae: 110 - 120

Observed transients in the intertidal zone (Ref.49162). Observations have shown that scent and taste appear to be more important than sight for foraging purposes (Ref. 172). Smaller individuals feed mainly on insect larvae, molluscs, worms, and crustaceans; subadults on benthic invertebrates and fish (Ref. 51442); larger individuals on other fishes. This species can also be a scavenger, feeding on carcasses. Yellow and silver eels are nocturnal and opportunistically feeding on virtually all small animals they encounter. Cannibalism occurs amongst yellow eels (Ref. 172). Feeding ceases when silver eels start their spawning migration and rely on their lipid reserves for energy. Leptocephali feed on gelatinous zooplankton (e.g. Hydrozoa, Thaliacea and Ctenophora) (Ref. 89143). Based on next-generation 18S rRNA gene sequencing, Hydrozoa (mostly siphonophores), dominates the leptocephali larvae diet (at least 75%), while copepods and euphausiids are less abundant (7%) (Ref. 117894).

Fish louse Infestation 1. Parasitic infestations (protozoa, worms, etc.)

Enteric Redmouth Disease. Bacterial diseases

Anchor worm Disease. Parasitic infestations (protozoa, worms, etc.)

Triaenophorus Disease (juvenile). Parasitic infestations (protozoa, worms, etc.)

Camallanus Disease. Parasitic infestations (protozoa, worms, etc.)

Worm Cataract. Parasitic infestations (protozoa, worms, etc.)

White spot Disease. Parasitic infestations (protozoa, worms, etc.)

Skin Flukes. Parasitic infestations (protozoa, worms, etc.)

Podocotyle Disease. Parasitic infestations (protozoa, worms, etc.)

Intestinal Ligulosis. Parasitic infestations (protozoa, worms, etc.)

Diphyllobothrium Disease. Parasitic infestations (protozoa, worms, etc.)

Fin-rot Disease (late stage). Bacterial diseases

Trichodinosis. Parasitic infestations (protozoa, worms, etc.)

Pomphorhynchus Infestation. Parasitic infestations (protozoa, worms, etc.)

Neoechinorhynchus Infestation. Parasitic infestations (protozoa, worms, etc.)

Pleistophora disease. Parasitic infestations (protozoa, worms, etc.)

Skin Fungi (Saprolegnia sp.). Fungal diseases

Pseudodactylogyrus Infestation. Parasitic infestations (protozoa, worms, etc.)

Anguillicola Infestation. Parasitic infestations (protozoa, worms, etc.)

Inhabits all types of benthic habitats from streams to shores of large rivers and lakes. Naturally found only in water bodies connected to the sea (Ref. 59043). Territorial and solitary species; 'schools' of young eels which are observed from time to time are a mass response to outward conditions and not of active assembling (Ref. 172). Amphihaline (Ref. 51442). Migrates to the depths of the Sargasso Sea to spawn (Ref. 172, 51442). Eel larvae (leptocephali) are transparent ribbon-like. They are brought to the coasts of Europe by the Gulf Stream in 7 to 11 months time (Ref. 51442) and can last for up to 3 years (Ref. 8994). They are transformed into glass eels (6-8 cm length, cylindrical in shape and transparent to slightly pigmented in colour). They enter the estuaries and colonize rivers and lakes (Ref. 11941, 51442); some individuals remain in estuaries and coastal waters to grow into adults (Ref. 88171). The glass eel stage is followed by a long feeding period (from the yellow to the silver eel stage) lasting 6-12 years in males (Ref. 6125) and 9-20 years in females (Ref. 6125). Yellow and silver eels are benthic, found under stones, buried in the mud or in crevices (Ref. 89138). Yellow eels eventually lose their pigmentation, becoming dark dorsally and silver ventrally (called silver eels). Silver eels are also characterized by a clear contrasting black lateral line and enlarged eyes (Ref. 6125). At the end of their growth period, they become sexually mature, migrate to the sea and cover great distances during their spawning migration (5,000-6,000 km); with extensive daily vertical migrations between 200 m at night and 600 m during day time, possibly for predator avoidance (Ref. 89140). Gametogenesis occurs entirely during spawning migration. Average life span is usually 15-20 years (Ref. 88171). Male eels can grow up to 50 cm TL (Ref. 39903). Occurs at temperatures ranging from 0-30°C (Ref. 172). Its food includes virtually the whole aquatic fauna (freshwater as well as marine) occurring in the eel's area, augmented with animals living out of water, e.g. worms (Ref. 172). Best temperature for making eels sexually mature is 20-25°C (Ref. 35388). Sensitive to weak magnetic fields (Ref. 89141, 89142). Their high fat content and benthic feeding habits in continental waters make them vulnerable to the bioaccumulation of pollutants, such as heavy metals and organic contaminants, that may result in organ damage and impaired migration capability (Ref. 82710) and lowered genetic variability (Ref. 82711). Review of information supports the view that the European eel population as a whole has declined in most areas, the stock is outside safe biological limits and current fisheries not sustainable (Ref. 82712). Obvious decreasing of the stocks for all the continental native distribution area (Ref. 40476). Utilized fresh, dried or salted, smoked and frozen; can be fried, boiled and baked (Ref. 9988).

fisheries: commercial; aquaculture: commercial; gamefish: yes

Édouard Manet, 1864

The European eel (Anguilla anguilla) is a species of eel, a snake-like, catadromous fish. They are normally around 60–80 cm (2.0–2.6 ft) and rarely reach more than 1 m (3 ft 3 in), but can reach a length of up to 1.5 m (4 ft 11 in) in exceptional cases.

Eels have been important sources of food both as adults (including jellied eels of East London) and as glass eels. Glass-eel fishing using basket traps has been of significant economic value in many river estuaries on the western seaboard of Europe.

While the species' lifespan in the wild has not been determined, captive specimens have lived over 80 years. A specimen known as "the Brantevik Eel" lived for 155 years in the well of a family home in Brantevik, a fishing village in southern Sweden.

Feeds on freshwater and marine fauna

Rivers of North Atlantic, Baltic and Mediterranean seas. Continuous introductions to Asia and South and Central America, but not reproducing. Spawning area in western Atlantic (Sargasso Sea). Also distributed along the coast of Europe from the Black Sea to the White Sea

Occasionally found in Canadian Atlantic waters.Spawning occurs in Sargasso Sea, leptocephali drift for about 3 years across Atlantic to brackish waters, after several years, return migration back to Sargasso Sea.

benthic