Common eel

Anguilla anguilla, commonly known as the European eel, is a species of eel found in fresh and brackish waters of Europe and North Africa. It is a snake-like fish with a long, slender body and a small head. Its color ranges from yellowish-brown to olive green, and its underside is usually yellowish-white. It can reach up to 1.2 meters in length and can live up to 25 years. Its habitat includes rivers, lakes, and estuaries, and it is currently listed as critically endangered due to overfishing and habitat destruction.

Name Origin: The scientific name of the organism, Anguilla anguilla, is derived from the Latin word for eel, anguilla. This is likely due to the organism's physical resemblance to an eel.

Related Species: Anguilla japonica, Anguilla rostrata, Anguilla bengalensis, Anguilla australis

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Fish

Order: Osteichthyes

Family: Anguillidae

Genus: Eel

Species: Eel

Anguilla anguilla lives in freshwater and brackish habitats, such as rivers, estuaries, and coastal lagoons. They prefer areas with slow-moving water and plenty of vegetation, such as aquatic plants and algae. They also need a muddy or sandy bottom to hide in and to lay their eggs. They are often found in the company of other fish, such as carp, eels, and perch. They are also known to share their habitat with amphibians, such as frogs and newts. Anguilla anguilla is an important part of the aquatic ecosystem, providing food for other animals and helping to keep the water clean.

Native country: Europe, North Africa, Middle East.

Native continent: Anguilla anguilla is found in Europe, mainly in the Mediterranean Sea.

Other organisms found in habitat: Plankton, Crustaceans, Fish, Seaweed, Algae

Appearance Summary: Anguilla anguilla, commonly known as the European eel, is a species of fish that is easily recognizable by its snake-like body and long, slender shape. It has a long dorsal fin that runs along its back and a long anal fin that runs along its underside. Its head is pointed and its eyes are small. Its coloration is usually olive green to brownish-yellow, with a yellowish-white underside. It has a unique life cycle, spending most of its life in freshwater and then migrating to the ocean to spawn.

Facial description: Anguilla anguilla has a long, slender body with a small head and a pointed snout. Its eyes are small and located on the sides of its head. Its mouth is large and has a pair of barbels on the lower jaw. Its scales are small and embedded in the skin. Its coloration is dark brown to olive green on the back and yellowish-white on the underside.

What are the distinct features of Common eel? Eel-like body shape, slimy skin, no scales, long and slender, olive green to brownish in color, can reach up to 1.5 meters in length, no vocalizations, burrows into mud or sand to hide, migrates long distances in the ocean, feeds on small fish and invertebrates.

What makes them unique?

Common eel body color description: Anguilla anguilla, commonly known as the European eel, is typically a dark olive green or brown color.

skin type: The exterior of Anguilla anguilla is slimy and slippery, with a smooth, slimy skin that is covered in small, slimy scales. Its body is long and cylindrical, with a pointed head and tail.

Strengths: Adaptability, High Reproductive Rate, Ability to Survive in a Variety of Habitats, High Mobility, Long Lifespan

Weaknesses: Poor vision, Slow swimming speed, Limited habitat range, Susceptible to parasites and diseases, High vulnerability to environmental changes

Anguilla anguilla behavior summary: Anguilla anguilla, commonly known as the European eel, is an aquatic organism that spends most of its life in freshwater rivers and streams. It is a nocturnal creature that hides in the mud during the day and comes out to feed at night. It moves by undulating its body and using its fins to propel itself forward. It is a solitary creature that does not interact with other organisms, but it does use its environment to hide from predators. It defends itself by releasing a slimy mucus that can make it difficult for predators to grab onto.

How do they defend themselves? Anguilla anguilla, commonly known as the European eel, is an aquatic species that has several defense mechanisms to protect itself from predators. It has a slimy, slippery body that makes it difficult for predators to grasp. It also has a sharp dorsal fin that can be used to deter predators. Additionally, the European eel has the ability to camouflage itself in its environment, making it difficult for predators to spot.

How do Common eel respond to stimuli in their environment? Chemical, Visual, Acoustic

How do Common eel gather food? Anguilla anguilla, commonly known as the European eel, is an opportunistic hunter that uses its sense of smell to locate food. It feeds on a variety of aquatic organisms, including fish, crustaceans, and mollusks. To survive, the eel needs to find food sources that are rich in energy and nutrients. It faces challenges such as competition from other predators, environmental changes, and human activities that can disrupt its habitat.

How do Common eel communicate in their environment? Anguilla anguilla communicates with other organisms through electrical signals, chemical cues, and physical contact. It uses these signals to detect predators, find food, and locate mates. It also uses them to establish territories and defend them from intruders.

Examples: Anguilla anguilla,Electric Organ Discharge,Produces low frequency sounds,Produces pheromones

How does the Common eel get territorial? Stake-out, Defend, Chase

Diet Summary: Anguilla anguilla, commonly known as the European eel, feeds on a variety of prey including crustaceans, mollusks, fish, and aquatic insects. It also consumes small amounts of plant material. Toxic and unhealthy foods for this organism include plastic and other man-made debris, which can be mistaken for food.

Predators: Anguilla anguilla, commonly known as the European eel, is facing a number of threats to its population growth. These include predation from larger fish, such as pike and perch, as well as environmental changes, such as water pollution, habitat destruction, and climate change. These threats have caused a drastic decline in the population of the European eel, making it an endangered species.

Threats: Habitat Loss, Pollution, Overfishing, Predators (Birds, Fish, Reptiles, Mammals)

Life cycle: Anguilla anguilla, commonly known as the European eel, is a species of eel found in fresh and brackish waters of Europe and North Africa. The species has a complex life cycle, which involves a long-distance migration from the Sargasso Sea to European rivers. The species spawns in the Sargasso Sea, where the larvae, known as leptocephali, drift with the ocean currents for up to two years before reaching the European coast. Upon reaching the coast, the larvae transform into glass eels, which migrate upriver and transform into yellow eels. The yellow eels live in freshwater for up to 20 years before migrating back to the Sargasso Sea to spawn.

What's the average lifespan of Anguilla anguilla: 11

Average offspring size: 10-20 cm

Most common health issues: Respiratory Disease, Fin Rot, Gill Disease, Skin Lesions, Intestinal Parasites, Bacterial Infections, Viral Infections, Fungal Infections

Threats: Habitat Loss, Pollution, Overfishing, Predators (Birds, Fish, Reptiles, Mammals)

Common diseases that threaten the Common eel population: Fin Rot, Gill Rot, Bacterial Gill Disease, Vibriosis, Parasitic Infestations, Ammonia Poisoning, Nitrite Poisoning, Nitrate Poisoning

Population: Anguilla anguilla's population has been steadily decreasing since the early 2000s, with the lowest population recorded in 2018. The population peaked in the late 1990s, with the highest population recorded in 1998. In the last ten years, the population has decreased from an estimated 1.2 million in 2009 to an estimated 0.8 million in 2018.

How do Common eel adapt to their environment Anguilla anguilla, commonly known as the European eel, is an incredible species that has adapted to its environment in a variety of ways. For example, the eel is able to migrate long distances, up to 4,000 miles, to reproduce in the Sargasso Sea. This is an incredible feat, as the eel must navigate through a variety of different habitats and obstacles to reach its destination. Additionally, the eel is able to survive in a variety of different temperatures and salinities, allowing it to inhabit a wide range of habitats.

What's their social structure? Anguilla anguilla is a species of eel that is found in the Atlantic, Mediterranean, and Black Sea. They are a top predator in their environment, feeding on smaller fish, crustaceans, and mollusks. They are also preyed upon by larger fish, sharks, and marine mammals. Anguilla anguilla live in large groups, with the largest and strongest eels at the top of the hierarchy. They interact with their family and species by forming social bonds and defending their territory. They also communicate with each other through body language and sound.

How would you describe their survival instincts? Anguilla anguilla, commonly known as the European eel, is an incredible creature that has adapted to survive in a variety of environments. It has an impressive set of survival instincts that allow it to respond to stimuli in its environment. For example, when the water temperature drops, the eel will migrate to warmer waters. It also has the ability to detect changes in water pressure, which helps it to avoid predators. Additionally, the eel can sense changes in light and darkness, allowing it to hide from predators during the day and hunt for food at night. All of these instincts help the eel to survive in its environment.