Bony fish · Anguilliformes · Anguillidae
American Eel
Anguilla rostrata
Endangered
At very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future.
The American eel is a migratory fish found on the eastern coast of North America. The American eel has a slender, snake-like body and is covered by a layer of mucus, which makes the eel appear slimy despite the presence of very small scales. A long dorsal fin runs from the middle of the back and continues into a similar ventral fin. The pelvic fins are absent, and the pectoral fin is relatively small and can be found near the midline, followed by the head and the gills, which are covered. There is variation in colouring, from olive green and brown to a yellowish-green shading and pale grey or white on the belly. Eels living in clear water are paler than those from dark streams.
Weight
4 kg on average
Size
up to 1.5 m
