European Eel and Similar Species
Anguilla anguilla
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Open the appSeveral fish can be confused with European Eel. Here are the key differences.
Species often confused with {name}
American Eel
Anguilla rostrata
Key differences: The primary distinguishing feature is the number of vertebrae: European Eels typically have 110-119 vertebrae, while American Eels have 103-110. This requires scientific examination. In the field, their geographic ranges generally do not overlap significantly, though some overlap may occur in the Sargasso Sea during spawning.
Conger Eel
Conger conger
Key differences: Conger eels are typically larger, exclusively marine, and lack the small, embedded scales of Anguilla species. Their dorsal fin starts much closer to the pectoral fins, and their upper jaw is typically longer than the lower jaw.
Lamprey species
Petromyzon marinus (Sea Lamprey), Lampetra fluviatilis (River Lamprey)
Key differences: Lampreys are jawless fish (agnathans) with a circular, sucking mouth and no paired fins. They have distinct gill openings (7 pairs) rather than gill slits covered by an operculum, and their skin is completely scaleless.
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