FISH AMERICAN EEL: Anguilla rostrata The American eel has several distinct developmental stages that include: Leptocephali – larva Glass eel – juvenile Elvers – juvenile American eel - adult Locations Sampled or Observed: Upper Clam Bay: Upper Tributary: Inner Clam Bay: Lower Tributary: Lower Clam Bay: X
Photo by USFWS
Geographic Range: The American Eel is a catadromous fish found throughout rivers of eastern North and Central America and migrates to the Sargasso in the Atlantic Ocean to spawn. Leptocephali migrate to the continental shelf where they drift in the Florida Current and Gulf Stream. Leptocephali morph into glass eels and enter coastal waters, bays and inlets. Glass eels become elvers in estuaries and enter rivers as adults. Description: The glass eel is wormlike in appearance and is transparent to yellowish brown in color and at this stage is usually less than 4 inches. Ecology: American eels are declining in response to habitat loss and overfishing. Eels have important commercial value in many parts of the world including Florida and provide food for many species that have commercial and recreational value in Southwest Florida.
115