American Eel (Anguilla rostrata)
From The Aquarium Wiki
American Eel
Juvenile American Eels
Anguilla rostrata
1136 Litres (300 US G.)
114.3-147.3cm (45-58 ")
7.5 - 8.2
10-23.9°C (50 -75 °F)
8-18 °d
1:1 M:F
25-43 years
Family
Anguillidae
Contents
Additional names
- American Eel, American Freshwater Eel, Anguila Eel, Common Eel, European Eel, European Freshwater Eel, Silver Eel
Additional scientific names
- Muraena rostrata, Anguilla aterrima, Anguilla blephura, Anguilla chrisypa, Anguilla cubana, Anguilla laticanda, Anguilla laticauda, Anguilla lutea, Anguilla macrops, Anguilla novaeorleanensis, Anguilla novaeterrae, Anguilla punctatissima, Anguilla tenuirostris, Anguilla texana, Anguilla tyrannus, Anguilla wabashensis, Anguilla xanthomelas, Leptocephalus grassii, Muraena argentea, Muraena bostoniensis, Muraena macrocephala, Muraena serpentina
Origin[edit | edit source]
- Northwest to western Central Atlantic: Greenland south along the Atlantic coast of Canada and the USA to Panama, and throughout much of the West Indies south to Trinidad.
Sexing[edit | edit source]
- Males are smaller than females.
Tank compatibility[edit | edit source]
- Peaceful towards other fish provided they are larger than its mouth. Will pose a threat to smaller fish.
Diet[edit | edit source]
- A scavenger that will take most foods, will eat most foods provided and scavenge detritus.
Feeding regime[edit | edit source]
- Feed once or twice a day.
Environment specifics[edit | edit source]
- This fish is found in fresh, brackish and saltwater, but spends most of its life in freshwater. Provide this fish with large hiding places and soft substrate with good filtration.
Behaviour[edit | edit source]
- A nocturnal fish that will spend most of the day time hidden or buried in substrate.
Identification[edit | edit source]
- There are two regional variants of this fish, the American and the European. The only significant difference being that the European variety grows much slower than the American.
- This is a very elongated fish with variable colouration. Adults are usually white or light-coloured below and brownish to blue-black above. The head is long with the small eyes set well forward. The caudal fin is rounded and joined to the dorsal and anal fins.
Pictures[edit | edit source]
Videos[edit | edit source]
| Feeding on bloodworms: |
External links[edit | edit source]
- Fishbase (Mirrors:
)
