Marine life profile
Freshwater Eels
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The <b>Anguillidae</b> are a family of ray-finned fish that contains the <b>freshwater eels</b>. Often territorial around a chosen crevice, it watches passing divers and emerges farther when hunting after dark.
Meet the species
What to look for
How to Recognize It
Look for an elongated body emerging from reef holes or moving with a smooth, ribbon-like wave.
How It Behaves
Often territorial around a chosen crevice, it watches passing divers and emerges farther when hunting after dark.
Special Ability
A flexible body lets it hunt deep inside cracks that most reef predators cannot enter.
Dive responsibly
Share the water well
How to Approach
Remain outside the shelter, keep fingers clear and use a steady light rather than pushing a camera into the opening.
Safety
Never feed or handle an eel. Its bite is defensive, fast and capable of causing a serious injury.
Worth knowing
The detail you remember
Interesting Facts
The nineteen species and six subspecies in this family are all in the genus <i><b>Anguilla</b></i>.
Where to Find
Inspect reef cracks, wreck openings, rocky ledges and rubble fields, particularly during dusk and night dives.
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Freshwater Eels locations
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