Eels | Anguilliformes

Eels are usually bony fish or ray-finned fish grouped under order Anguilliformes. These animals are nocturnal, predators, migrate, and most species lack scales. Eels are elongated fish that lack the pelvic and pectoral fins with the dorsal and anal fins fused to form a single ribbon that runs along the entire length of the body of the animal. The Eel can swim forward and backward and you will spot them living in shallow waters of both fresh and salty water, burrowing into the sand, rocks, and mud. They too are a wonderful source of food.

Where do eels live?

Eels live in both freshwater and saltwater bodies of water, but the majority of the species typically live at sea. The habitat of eels generally consists of shallow waters as they prefer to burrow into the sand, mud, or rocks. Some species of eels are more at home within the continental shelves.

What do eels eat?

Typically, eels eat a variety of fish, crustaceans, and mollusks. Eels generally follow a carnivorous diet. Eels can eat almost any marine creature that is smaller than they are thus creating a diverse diet. The diet of eels is made up of sea urchins, crabs, shrimp, lobsters, frogs, krill, worms, and clams.

How do eels reproduce?

Eels reproduce through the process of external fertilization as the female eel release millions of eggs into the water to be fertilized by the male’s sperm. Eels, unfortunately, die after the reproduction and mating process. The reproduction process of eels has been considered a mystery for years.

Eels Guides
Browse through our curated Eels Guides for additional categorizations, tips, details, variations, styles, and histories of Eels. Guides provide additional insights into the unique properties and shared relationships between elements.
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1.2”-2.4” | 3-6 cm
20”-40” | 51-102 cm
13-17 lb | 6-7.7 kg
15-40 years
American Eel
6.000
102.000
7.700
40.00
10000
GUIDE
3D
American Eel
3.1”-4.7” | 8-12 cm
60”-84” | 1.52-2.13 m
6.6-55 lb | 3-25 kg
15-20 years
European Conger
12.000
213.000
25.000
20.00
1150
GUIDE
3D
European Conger
1.6”-2.75” | 4-7 cm
24”-39” | 61-99 cm
3-8 lb | 1.4-3.6 kg
15-20 years
European Eel
7.000
99.000
3.600
20.00
9500
GUIDE
3D
European Eel
2.4”-3.1” | 6-8 cm
31”-37” | 79-94 cm
2.2-4.4 lb | 1-2 kg
10-30 years
Fimbriated Moray
8.000
94.000
2.000
30.00
140
GUIDE
3D
Fimbriated Moray
5.9”-8.7” | 15-22 cm
5.92’-9.83’ | 1.8-3 m
66-79 lb | 30-36 kg
10-30 years
Giant Moray
22.000
300.000
36.000
30.00
1900
GUIDE
3D
Giant Moray
3.5”-5.1” | 9-13 cm
59”-79” | 1.5-2 m
44-62 lb | 20-28 kg
20-40 years
Giant Mottled Eel
13.000
200.000
28.000
40.00
1050
GUIDE
3D
Giant Mottled Eel
3.1”-4.7” | 8-12 cm
39”-51” | 99-130 cm
6.6-8.8 lb | 3-4 kg
15-20 years
Japanese Eel
12.000
130.000
4.000
20.00
7800
GUIDE
3D
Japanese Eel
2.4”-3.1” | 6-8 cm
11.5’-13.1’ | 3.5-4 m
29-60 lb | 13-27 kg
10-40 years
Slender Giant Moray
8.000
400.000
27.000
40.00
90
GUIDE
3D
Slender Giant Moray
1”-1.6” | 2.5-4 cm
51”-79” | 1.3-2 m
.4-.5 lb | .17-.23 kg
7-10 years
Slender Snipe Eel
4.000
200.000
0.230
10.00
450
GUIDE
3D
Slender Snipe Eel
2”-3.1” | 5-8 cm
24”-36” | 61-91 cm
15-30 years
Snowflake Moray
8.000
91.000
30.00
1150
GUIDE
3D
Snowflake Moray
.3”-.4” | .75-1 cm
4”-4.5” | 10.2-11.4 cm
10-30 years
Snyder’s Moray
1.000
11.400
30.00
15
GUIDE
3D
Snyder’s Moray
1.2”-3.5” | 3-9 cm
20”-59” | 51-150 cm
10-20 years
Zebra Moray
9.000
150.000
20.00
1100
GUIDE
3D
Zebra Moray
Giant Mottled Eel (Anguilla marmorata)
Scale illustration of an average Giant Mottled Eel compared to a human and other eel species

The Giant Mottled eel (Anguilla marmorata) is not just the most widely distributed of the eel but also among the largest species. It is also called marbled eel and belongs to the family Anguillidae. The giant mottled is national to Indo-Pacific and adjacent freshwater environments. Like most eels, it is catadromous and distinguished from other eels by its mottled complexion, teeth patterns, and long dorsal fin. A protruding lower jaw, well-developed pectoral fins, and cylindrical body enable the fish to live at the belly of fresh and brackish water. Interestingly, its sex glands do not grow in freshwater but as they move to river mouths.

Giant Mottled Eels have a total length between 59”-79” (1.5-2 m) and body height of 3.5”-5.1” (9-13 cm). The typical weight of the Giant Mottled Eel is in the range of 44-62 lb (20-28 kg). Giant Mottled Eels have lifespans between 20-40 years.

Series of elevation illustrations of the Giant Mottled Eel
The Giant Mottled eel (Anguilla marmorata) is not just the most widely distributed of the eel but also among the largest species. It is also called marbled eel and belongs to the family Anguillidae. The giant mottled is national to Indo-Pacific and adjacent freshwater environments.

Giant Mottled Eels have a total length between 59”-79” (1.5-2 m) and body height of 3.5”-5.1” (9-13 cm). The typical weight of the Giant Mottled Eel is in the range of 44-62 lb (20-28 kg). Giant Mottled Eels have lifespans between 20-40 years.

Series of elevation illustrations of the Giant Mottled Eel
Giant Mottled Eel (Anguilla marmorata)
Height:
3.5”-5.1” | 9-13 cm
Width:
Length:
59”-79” | 1.5-2 m
Depth:
Weight:
44-62 lb | 20-28 kg
Area:
Scientific Name
Anguilla marmorata
Lifespan
20-40 years

Drawings include:

Giant Mottled Eel side elevation, side (perspective), front, top

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Fimbriated Moray (Gymnothorax fimbriatus)
Scale illustration of an average Fimbriated Moray compared to a human and other eel species

Instead of swimming, the Fimbriated moray(Gymnothorax fimbriatus) will move in a snake-like fashion, made possible by its serpent-like body dotted in black spots. The fish falls under the family Muraenidae and also goes by the names spot-face moray and dark-spotted moray. This mysterious creature lacks pectoral and pelvic fins, prefers lagoons, harbors, top reefs, and coral reefs of Indo-Pacific waters hiding in holes and crevices with other morays. Other features of the fimbriated moray include white dressing on the mouth, a head with a tapered snout, acute perception, and sharp teeth. Besides being carnivorous, it also shows hermaphroditism or intersex.

Fimbriated Morays have a total length between 31”-37” (79-94 cm) and body height of 2.4”-3.1” (6-8 cm). The typical weight of the Fimbriated Moray is in the range of 2.2-4.4 lb (1-2 kg). Fimbriated Morays have lifespans between 10-30 years.

Series of elevation illustrations of the Fimbriated Moray
Instead of swimming, the Fimbriated moray(Gymnothorax fimbriatus) will move in a snake-like fashion, made possible by its serpent-like body dotted in black spots. The fish falls under the family Muraenidae and also goes by the names spot-face moray and dark-spotted moray.

Fimbriated Morays have a total length between 31”-37” (79-94 cm) and body height of 2.4”-3.1” (6-8 cm). The typical weight of the Fimbriated Moray is in the range of 2.2-4.4 lb (1-2 kg). Fimbriated Morays have lifespans between 10-30 years.

Series of elevation illustrations of the Fimbriated Moray
Fimbriated Moray (Gymnothorax fimbriatus)
Height:
2.4”-3.1” | 6-8 cm
Width:
Length:
31”-37” | 79-94 cm
Depth:
Weight:
2.2-4.4 lb | 1-2 kg
Area:
Scientific Name
Gymnothorax fimbriatus
Lifespan
10-30 years

Drawings include:

Fimbriated Moray side elevation, side (perspective), front, top

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Snyder’s Moray (Anarchias leucurus)
Comparison illustration of the size of a Snyder’s Moray to other eels

The Snyder’s moray (Anarchias leucurus) takes its name from Snyder, who spotted it in 1904. Other people call it fine-spotted moray or fine spot moray because of the small spotted appearance on its body. It is the smallest of all morays and composed of several subspecies of the eel. There are insufficient studies done on the fine spot moray since they are hard to find however, they are classified under the family Muraenidae, native to Pacific Oceans plus the Great Barrier Reef, Guam, and Islands of Hawaii. As a benthic species, it loves coral reefs, and its body is reddish-brown with white spots; a skin color making it fit for aquariums.

Snyder’s Morays have a total length between 4”-4.5” (10.2-11.4 cm) and body height of .3”-.4” (.75-1 cm). Snyder’s Morays have lifespans between 10-30 years.

Scaled collection of drawings of Snyder’s Moray in various poses
The Snyder’s moray (Anarchias leucurus) takes its name from Snyder, who spotted it in 1904. Other people call it fine-spotted moray or fine spot moray because of the small spotted appearance on its body. It is the smallest of all morays and composed of several subspecies of the eel.

Snyder’s Morays have a total length between 4”-4.5” (10.2-11.4 cm) and body height of .3”-.4” (.75-1 cm). Snyder’s Morays have lifespans between 10-30 years.

Scaled collection of drawings of Snyder’s Moray in various poses
Snyder’s Moray (Anarchias leucurus)
Height:
.3”-.4” | .75-1 cm
Width:
Length:
4”-4.5” | 10.2-11.4 cm
Depth:
Weight:
Area:
Scientific Name
Anarchias leucurus
Lifespan
10-30 years

Drawings include:

Snyder’s Moray side elevation, side (perspective), front, top

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Slender Snipe Eel (Nemichthys scolopaceus)
Dimensioned comparison drawing of the Slender Snipe Eel compared to an average person and other eels

Until you take a closer look, you may assume the slender snipe eel (Nemichthys scolopaceus) as a ribbon or string because of its thin body resembling a thread. The fish is cataloged under the family Nemichthyidae with bird-like beak spotting curving tips which help it easily capture food. This true eel is light-weight, nocturnal, with eyes larger than its body size, and populates the bathypelagic and mesopelagic zones besides being the only creature with a backbone having more vertebrae. Its bird beak bore it the name deep-sea duck, and its anas evolved to the degree of being adjacent to the throat.

Slender Snipe Eels have a total length between 51”-79” (1.3-2 m0 and body height of 1”-1.6” (2.5-4 cm). The typical weight of the Slender Snipe Eel is in the range of .4-.5 lb (.17-.23 kg). Slender Snipe Eels have lifespans between 7-10 years.

Set of scaled elevation drawings of the Slender Snipe Eel
Until you take a closer look, you may assume the slender snipe eel (Nemichthys scolopaceus) as a ribbon or string because of its thin body resembling a thread. The fish is cataloged under the family Nemichthyidae with bird-like beak spotting curving tips which help it easily capture food.

Slender Snipe Eels have a total length between 51”-79” (1.3-2 m0 and body height of 1”-1.6” (2.5-4 cm). The typical weight of the Slender Snipe Eel is in the range of .4-.5 lb (.17-.23 kg). Slender Snipe Eels have lifespans between 7-10 years.

Set of scaled elevation drawings of the Slender Snipe Eel
Slender Snipe Eel (Nemichthys scolopaceus)
Height:
1”-1.6” | 2.5-4 cm
Width:
Length:
51”-79” | 1.3-2 m
Depth:
Weight:
.4-.5 lb | .17-.23 kg
Area:
Scientific Name
Nemichthys scolopaceus
Lifespan
7-10 years

Drawings include:

Slender Snipe Eel side elevation, side (perspective), front, top

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Snowflake Moray (Echidna nebulosa)
Scale illustration of an average Snowflake Moray compared to a human and other eel species

If you are looking for an eel or moray for your tank, then the snowflake moray (Echidna nebulosa) is your best bet. Its name comes from the snowflake pattern all over its body. Aquarists love the snowflake moray because of its rather modest size, pleasant looks, and docile nature compared to larger moray eels. The snowflake moray is also called clouded moray, starry moray eel, or floral moray eel with a thick neck emerging from the second set of jaws in their throat called pharyngeal jaws. They are grouped under the family Muraenidae and settled in Indo-Pacific regions and are the only fish using pharyngeal jaws to catch prey.

Snowflake Morays have a total length between 24”-36” (61-91 cm) and body height of 2”-3.1” (5-8 cm). Snowflake Morays have lifespans between 15-30 years.

Series of elevation illustrations of the Snowflake Moray
If you are looking for an eel or moray for your tank, then the snowflake moray (Echidna nebulosa) is your best bet. Its name comes from the snowflake pattern all over its body. Aquarists love the snowflake moray because of its rather modest size, pleasant looks, and docile nature.

Snowflake Morays have a total length between 24”-36” (61-91 cm) and body height of 2”-3.1” (5-8 cm). Snowflake Morays have lifespans between 15-30 years.

Series of elevation illustrations of the Snowflake Moray
Snowflake Moray (Echidna nebulosa)
Height:
2”-3.1” | 5-8 cm
Width:
Length:
24”-36” | 61-91 cm
Depth:
Weight:
Area:
Scientific Name
Echidna nebulosa
Lifespan
15-30 years

Drawings include:

Snowflake Moray side elevation, side (perspective), front, top

Details & Downloads

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