When we think of eels, we often visualize long, serpentine fish lacking scales and having underdeveloped fins. Eels belong to the Anguilliformes order, with a fascinating diversity of 15 families, around 140 genera, and over 800 species globally.
You can find these creatures in virtually every ocean, especially in the tropical Atlantic and Indo-Pacific regions, dwelling in both shallow and deep waters. Intriguingly, there’s a particular family of eels that thrives in freshwater. These freshwater eels have distinct ventrolateral gill slits and are often consumed as delicacies. Deepwater eels usually sport a dark grey to black hue, while those found around tropical reefs dazzle with vibrant patterns and colors.
Let’s delve into a list of some marine and freshwater eels that you might not have come across before.
Did You Know?
Per Wikipedia, eels are part of the ray-finned fish category under the Anguilliformes order. This order includes eight suborders, 19 families, 111 genera, and an approximate 800 species. These fishes show significant developmental changes from their early larval phase to adulthood, with many of them being predators.
* Class: Actinopterygii
* Phylum: Chordata
* Order: Anguilliformes
* Scientific Name: Anguilliformes
* Examples of Length & Weight: European eel (60-80 cm, 3.6 kg), American eel (50 cm, 4 kg), and Short-finned eel (90 cm).
Eel Roster:
1. Snyder’s Moray
Discovered by Snyder in 1904, this Pacific native is roughly 4 inches long and sports a reddish-brown hue with spots.
2. Giant Moray
Living up to its name, this eel, spotted with a dark hue, can grow up to 9.8 feet and weigh over 65 pounds. Its diet includes smaller eels, crustaceans, and other fish, and it’s predominantly found in the warm Indo-Pacific waters.
3. Slender Giant Moray
A behemoth amongst morays, it’s yellow and can reach 13 feet. Predominantly spotted in the Indo-Pacific.
4. Snowflake Moray
Exhibiting a yellow, black, and white patterned body, it’s found in the warm waters of the Indo-Pacific, living between 7 to 100 feet depths.
5. Zebra Moray
Recognizable by its distinctive dark and white stripes, it can be found from the Indo-Pacific to Japan, feasting primarily on marine creatures.
6. Fimbriated Moray
Displaying a striking pattern of yellow and green with white and black markings, it’s found in the Indo-Pacific, usually lurking between 3 to 160 feet deep.
7. White Spotted Conger
As the name suggests, this eel boasts numerous white spots and typically grows up to 3 feet, mostly inhabiting the northwest Pacific.
8. Grey Conger
This petite eel, ranging between 30 to 60 inches, predominantly thrives 200 to 400 feet below the surface.
9. Longfin African Conger
Identified by its elongated fins and black stripes, this eel resides in the deep Indo-Pacific waters.
10. Beach Conger
Mostly found in the northwestern Pacific, it showcases a glossy grey body.
11. Electric Eel
Unique due to its ability to produce around 500 volts of electricity, it can be found in South America.
12. Black Spotted Eel
A member of the spiny eels family, its black-spotted appearance can deceive many.
13. Green Moray
This carnivorous eel boasts a green-yellow hue and feeds on smaller marine creatures.
14. Half-Banded Spiny Eel
Recognizable by its banded body and tapering tail, it’s a freshwater variety suitable for aquariums.
15. Ophichthidae
Often called the snake eel because of its pattern, this marine variety has a striking yellow and black pattern and occasionally ventures into rivers.
16. Dragon Eel
Coming in two variants based on coloration, they are not true eels.
17. Peacock Eel
A small freshwater eel, it is greenish-brown with yellow patterns.
18. Cutthroat Eel
Found in deep waters, its gray body sports two spines behind its head.
19. Tire Eel
Growing up to 28 inches, it’s identified by its unique back patterns and a black line through its eyes.
20. Snipe Eel
A unique eel with beak-like jaws and an elongated tail, it dwells deep in oceans globally.
21. Zig Zag Eel
Also known as Mastacembelum armatus, its patterns differ from the snipe eel, with its lifespan extending beyond 18 years.
Eels, whether marine or freshwater, display a mesmerizing array of colors, patterns, and behaviors, making them some of the most intriguing creatures of the underwater world.