Anguillidae

Anguillidae is a family of ray-finned fish commonly known as freshwater eels. These elongated, serpentine swimmers are characterized by their continuous dorsal, caudal, and anal fins. They inhabit freshwater environments across the globe, with the exception of the Southern Hemisphere. Anguillids are catadromous, meaning they migrate from freshwater to saltwater to spawn, and their larvae drift back to freshwater habitats.

The life cycle of freshwater eels is complex and not fully understood. They hatch in the ocean, where their leptocephalus larvae are planktonic and drift for extended periods before metamorphosing into glass eels. These glass eels then migrate inland, entering rivers and streams, where they grow and mature. The exact spawning grounds for many species remain elusive.

Anguillids are primarily carnivorous, feeding on a variety of invertebrates, small fish, and crustaceans. They are nocturnal hunters, using their keen sense of smell to locate prey. Several species are commercially important for food, though overfishing and habitat degradation have led to significant population declines for some. Conservation efforts are underway to protect these unique and ecologically significant fish.