European Eel

Enteric Redmouth Disease. Bacterial diseases

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).

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

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.

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).

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

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

Vibriosis Disease (general). Bacterial diseases

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

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

Edwardsiellosis. Bacterial diseases

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

Vibriosis of eel (acute). Bacterial diseases

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

Fin-rot Disease (late stage). Bacterial diseases

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

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

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).

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.)

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

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

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

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

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

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

Skin Fungi (Saprolegnia sp.). Fungal diseases

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

Pomphorhynchus 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