American eel – Anguilla rostrata

Anguilla rostrata, commonly known as the American eel, is a species of eel found along the eastern coast of North America. It is a commercially important fish, and also plays a significant role in the ecosystems it inhabits.

Description & Characteristics

The American eel is a slender, serpentine fish with a long, cylindrical body and a pointed head. It has a dorsal fin that extends the length of its back, a long anal fin, and a small, rounded caudal fin. The body is generally dark green to brown on the back and sides, fading to a yellowish-white on the belly. This species can reach a maximum size of 152.0 cm in length.

Habitat and Occurrence

Anguilla rostrata is a catadromous species, meaning it spends most of its life in freshwater but migrates to the ocean to spawn. It is found in rivers, lakes, and estuaries throughout the eastern United States and Canada. It is particularly abundant in the Chesapeake Bay, as well as the Great Lakes. American eels prefer to live in areas with slow-moving water and abundant vegetation. The species can be found in depths ranging from 0.0 to 464.0 meters.

They are commonly found in a variety of marine zones, including the neritic zone, which extends from the shoreline to the edge of the continental shelf, and the oceanic zone, which is the vast expanse of open ocean beyond the continental shelf.

Taxonomy

The species Anguilla rostrata belongs to the Class: Teleostei, Order: Anguilliformes, and Family: Anguillidae. This family, commonly known as the true eels, comprises over 15 genera and 150 species found in both freshwater and saltwater habitats around the world.

Feeding

Anguilla rostrata is an opportunistic carnivore that feeds on a variety of prey items, including insects, crustaceans, fish, and small amphibians. They are known to be particularly fond of crustaceans like crayfish, crabs, and shrimp, as well as small fish like minnows and shiners. The American eel’s diet is dependent upon the availability of prey in its habitat, making it a highly adaptable and successful species.