European eel

Anguilla anguilla

Русское название: Европейский речной угорь

A remarkable migratory fish that reproduces in the Sargasso Sea. Its populations have declined severely and conservation concerns are acute. Fishing and trade are subject to significant local and international restrictions.

✳ Scientific names are used to reduce confusion between local names.

Photograph of Anguilla anguilla — View author & license · Wikimedia Commons ↗

◎Distribution

European and adjacent waters; spawning migration into Atlantic

♧Habitat

Rivers, lakes, estuaries and ocean migration routes

✺Identification limits

Images and brief descriptions are for learning, not for reliably identifying a specimen. Take particular care with poisonous plants and mushrooms.

Further reading and image creditsAnguilla anguilla — Wikipedia overview ↗Photo, author and license — Wikimedia Commons ↗

Identification is never guaranteed by a photo. Scientific names are used to reduce confusion between local names.

THE WORLD ATLAS

Related species

Explore this group ↗

↗

Oncorhynchus mykissMigratory

Rainbow trout

Native to the Pacific drainage of North America and widespread in aquaculture.

Open species profile ↗ⓘ Photo, author and license

↗

Salmo salarMigratory

Atlantic salmon

An iconic migratory fish that grows at sea and returns to rivers to reproduce.

Open species profile ↗ⓘ Photo, author and license

↗

Salmo truttaMigratory

Brown trout

A species with stream-resident, lake-resident and sea-run life histories.

Open species profile ↗ⓘ Photo, author and license

Guides from this topic

Six common freshwater fish in Europe: names and habitatsMeet pike, perch, trout, zander, tench and carp with scientific names and conservation context.Fishing responsibly: clean gear before moving between watersRods, boots, nets and boats can transport organisms that harm another lake or river.Catch and release: how to reduce harm to fishWet hands, minimal handling and quick release can make a real difference.