European eels are basically the same fish living in Europe.
The only saltwater true eel is the Conger. Not suited for captive life.
American eel in saltwater
- Thread starter Cu455
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European eels are basically the same fish living in Europe.
The only saltwater true eel is the Conger. Not suited for captive life.
Actually, European Eels are what you find in the North Atlantic along the Northeastern US coast. The common name is very misleading.
I think you are mistaken on this.
American Eels (Anguilla rostrata) breed in the "Sargasso Sea" and then the larvae migrate to freshwater habitats along the east coast of the United States and Canada.
European Eels (Anguilla anguilla) breed in the same area but the larvae travel to European freshwater habitats.
I was just looking at videos at pictures of them and there are pretty large ones which were found in the Long Island Sound, which is an estuary. Since they can live in estuaries and travel over a 1,000 miles in saltwater there has to be a saltwater population or at least individual somewhere. I have no proof but with my knowledge of genetics and ecology I would have to guess some individuals got strained at sea. Some of they have adapted to live there.
Dan - if I am mistaken, then which are the eels caught up and down the Eastern Coast of the US ? Ranging in size from 12 inches to adults?
Those are Anguilla rostrata. Anguilla anguilla are pretty much identical, but the subadults/adults are found in Europe.
The problem is that once they enter saltwater as adults they are switched into breeding mode like salmon, so they have started changing physiologically with the end result being reproductive maturity and death.
I don't doubt that a young eel could live a long time in saltwater, but you would definitely want to start with one caught in saltwater, I would think.
No problem!
If you ever get a chance, read "Consider the Eel" by Richard Schweid, fun reading for fish geeks!
I would have guessed that they will enter breeding mode first and then enter saltwater. Once they start to change then something would be triggered in their body to signal them into saltwater. I am not saying I am right but this is how I would of guessed it happen.
How ever it happens I am surprised that they are not more popular. They are cool fish and cost less them tetras. I am problaly going to get one tomorow for my freshwater tank. I also also downloaded that book on my kindle, thanks.
