Biology

Amphihaline species (Ref. 51442), which migrates to the depths of the Sargasso Sea to spawn (Ref. 172, 51442). Spawning takes place in late winter and spring in the Sargasso Sea (Ref. 35112). The leptocephali larvae are brought to the coasts of Europe by the Gulf Stream in 7 to 11 months time (Ref. 51442) and can last for up to 3 years (Ref. 8994). They are transformed into elvers, enter the estuaries and colonize the continental waters (Ref. 51442). They evolve into small eels before moving into freshwater basins (Ref. 11941). Young eels spend their growing period in freshwater, males for 6-12 years, females for 9-20 years, before ending their metamorphosis (Ref. 172, 51442). At the end of their growth period, they become sexually mature and the eels migrate to the sea where they inhabit deep waters. Adults do not feed during migration to sea. Gametogenesis occurs entirely during migration towards the Sargasso Sea. It occurs at temperatures ranging from 0-30°C. Is an individualist in all its stages. The 'schools' of elvers and young eels which are observed from time to time in estuaries and rivers are a mass response to outward conditions and not of active assembling. Its food includes virtually the whole aquatic fauna (freshwater as well as marine) occurring in the eel's area, augmented with animals living out of water, e.g. worms (Ref. 172). At an age of 6-30 years, eels begin to undergo a remarkable series of changes, eyes are enlarged, head becomes pointed, skin on the back darker, while that on the belly becomes shiny and silvery. Best temperature for making eels sexually mature is 20-25°C (Ref. 35388). Recent genomic DNA studies show that the European eel exhibits isolation by distance, implying that non-random mating and restricted gene flow among eels from different location exists (Ref. 43723). Utilized fresh, dried or salted, smoked and frozen; can be fried, boiled and baked (Ref. 9988). Obvious decreasing of the stocks for all the continental distribution area. Vulnerable (Ref. 40476).They live on the bottom, under stones, in the mud or in crevices.