Ecology of Anguilla anguilla
 
Main Ref. Deelder, C.L., 1984
Distribution
Marine - Neritic
  • supra-littoral zone
  • littoral zone
  • sublittoral zone
Marine - Oceanic
  • epipelagic
  • mesopelagic
  • epipelagic
  • abyssopelagic
  • hadopelagic
Brackishwater
  • estuaries/lagoons/brackish seas
  • mangroves
  • marshes/swamps
Freshwater
  • rivers/streams
  • lakes/ponds
  • caves
  • exclusively in caves
Highighted items on the list are where Anguilla anguilla may be found.
Remarks Observed transients in the intertidal zone (Ref.49162). Observations have shown that scent and taste appear to be more important than sight for foraging purposes (Ref. 172). Smaller individuals feed mainly on insect larvae, molluscs, worms, and crustaceans; subadults on benthic invertebrates and fish (Ref. 51442); larger individuals on other fishes. This species can also be a scavenger, feeding on carcasses. Yellow and silver eels are nocturnal and opportunistic feeding on virtually all small animals they encounter. Cannibalism occurs amongst yellow eels (Ref. 172). Feeding ceases when silver eels start their spawning migration and rely on their lipid reserves for energy. Leptocephali feed on gelatinous zooplankton (e.g. Hydrozoa, Thaliacea and Ctenophora) (Ref. 89143).

Substrate

Substrate
Substrate Ref.
Special habitats
Special habitats Ref.

Associations

Ref.
Associations
Associated with
Association remarks
Parasitism

Feeding

Feeding type mainly animals (troph. 2.8 and up)
Feeding type ref Costa, J.L., C.A. Assis, P.R. Almeida, F.M. Moreira and M.J. Costa, 1992
Feeding habit hunting macrofauna (predator)
Feeding habit ref Costa, J.L., C.A. Assis, P.R. Almeida, F.M. Moreira and M.J. Costa, 1992
Trophic level(s)
Original sample Unfished population Remark
Estimation method Troph s.e. Troph s.e.
From diet composition 3.55 0.30 3.55 0.59 Troph of juv./adults from 1 study.
Ref. Costa, J.L., C.A. Assis, P.R. Almeida, F.M. Moreira and M.J. Costa, 1992
From individual food items 3.62 0.69 Trophic level estimated from a number of food items using a randomized resampling routine.
(e.g. 346)
(e.g. cnidaria)
Entered by Luna, Susan M. on 10.19.90
Modified by Capuli, Estelita Emily on 09.23.14
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