This freshwater eel is found in rivers and streams along the West Atlantic from Greenland to the tip of South America but is most common in the temperate zones of that range. Female eels can grow to 60 inches and 16 pounds but males only to 18 inches. North of the equator these eels go to the Saragaso Sea to spawn and die, a little to the west of where the European eels go. Aquaculture depends on capturing returning juveniles. There is a big market in Asia for these juveniles because of an eel shortfall there but populations are declining and protections are being considered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Fish Page

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