Global in salt and fresh waters
Size: Species dependent, 2 in. – 13 ft.
Lifespan: Species dependent 5 – 20 years
Small fish, invertebrates, crustaceans, shrimp, crabs, sea urchins
Eels are characterized by long, snake-like bodies. And, unlike most fish, eels don’t have pelvic fins, and most species also lack pectoral fins.
Eels use their unique body shape to swim, creating waves that propel them through the water.
Most eel species are unique in that they are catadromous, which means they spend most of their adult lives in freshwater and streams and will eventually return to the ocean, where they were first born to spawn.
The Aquarium is home to several eel species you can see hiding or slithering around in various exhibits. Our eel species include ribbon eels, green moray eels, purplemouth moray eels, Indo-Pacific moray eels, and spotted moray eels.
Types
Fish
