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Species Guide

European Eel

Anguila Europea
  • Spanish Name: Anguila Europea
  • English Name: European Eel
  • Scientific Name: Anguilla anguilla
  • Type of specie: Fish
  • Order: Anguilliformes
  • Family: Anguillidae

Habitat

  • Natural: Rivers, lakes, and coastal waters; migrates to the Sargasso Sea for reproduction.
  • Farming: Freshwater or brackish ponds with controlled feeding and water quality management.

General Description

  • Body shape: Elongated, snake-like, and cylindrical.
  • Distinctive features:

    Smooth body with no visible scales, coloration varies by life stage: generally greenish or brown on the back and yellowish or silvery on the belly. Large eyes and a small mouth with tiny teeth.

Size and Weight

  • Average length: Typically between 40 and 80 cm, although in its natural habitat, it can reach up to 1.5 meters.
  • Average weight: Typically between 500 g and 3 kg; some exceptional specimens can exceed 6 kg.

Life Cycle

Catadromous migrator; adults spawn in the Sargasso Sea, while juveniles (glass eels) return to European rivers.

Adaptations

Highly tolerant to varying salinities and capable of surviving in low-quality waters.

Juveniles farming systems

Glass eels are captured in the wild and grown in ponds.

Grow-out farming systems

Primarily in freshwater or brackish ponds with controlled feeding.

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  • Geographical distribution
Native to Europe and North Africa, including the Mediterranean and Baltic Seas.
  • Main producing countries
Spain, Italy, France, Netherlands, Denmark.
  • Commercial value

Highly valued for its rich, flavorful meat, consumed fresh, smoked, or in traditional dishes.

  • Additional uses

By-products: Occasionally used to make pâtés and canned products.

  • Common preparation methods
Ideal for smoking, stewing, frying, or baking.