A slim, catadromous fish that spawns in the Sargasso Sea and lives most of its long life in European fresh waters.
Where it lives
European eel undertake one of biology’s most remarkable life cycles. Larvae hatch in the Sargasso Sea, drift on Atlantic currents for one to three years, transform into transparent “glass eels” near European coasts, and migrate up rivers across Europe and North Africa. Adults — yellow then silver eels — spend 5 to 25 years in fresh and brackish water before swimming back to the Sargasso to spawn and die.
How to recognise it
A long, snake-like body with no pelvic fins. A continuous fin runs around the tail, joining dorsal, caudal, and anal fins into one ribbon. The skin is heavily mucused, the lower jaw projects beyond the upper. Color shifts from yellow-brown (“yellow eel”) to silvery flank with dark back (“silver eel”) at maturity.
Diet & behavior
Eels are opportunistic nocturnal predators that hunt insects, crustaceans, mollusks, small fish, and carrion using a remarkable sense of smell.
Fisheries & Conservation
Listed as Critically Endangered. Glass eel recruitment has collapsed to a few percent of historical levels; EU regulations restrict trade and require eel-passage facilities.
Find more fish by letter
European Eel starts with E and ends with L. Browse other fish along the same letter.
Fish that contain a letter from "European Eel":