Fish Active at night

European Eel

Anguilla anguilla

iNaturalist Wikipedia

A master of transformation and a world-class traveler, the European Eel lives a secret life in our waterways. This critically endangered species completes an epic 6,000km journey from the depths of the Atlantic to reach our backyards.

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Quick Identification

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Size

Typically 60–80 cm (24–31 in), but can reach 1.5 m (5 ft); weight ranges from 1–6 kg (2.2–13.2 lbs).

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Colors

Changes with age: transparent as 'glass eels', brownish-green as 'yellow eels', and metallic silver with dark backs as 'silver eels'.

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Key Features

Elongated snake-like body
Continuous fin fringe along the back and tail
Protruding lower jaw
Tiny, scale-less appearance (scales are deeply embedded)

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern Active at night

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Peak hours 9 PM - 4 AM

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Season April-October

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Diet Carnivorous and opportunistic; they feed on aquatic insects, crustaceans, worms, and small fish.

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Habitat Slow-moving rivers, lakes, ponds, and estuaries with soft, muddy bottoms.

Behavior

The European Eel is one of nature’s most mysterious travelers. Most of their lives are spent in freshwater rivers and lakes, where they are primarily nocturnal, hiding in mud or under stones during the day to avoid predators. They are opportunistic hunters, using a highly developed sense of smell to locate food in murky waters. Remarkably, they can survive for short periods out of water and are known to slither across damp grass on rainy nights to reach isolated ponds or move between waterways.

Their life cycle is a legendary biological enigma; they are born in the Sargasso Sea near Bermuda and drift for years across the Atlantic to reach European coasts. After spending up to 20 years maturing in freshwater, they undergo a final transformation into 'silver eels,' stopping all feeding to begin a grueling 6,000-kilometer return journey to the ocean depths to spawn once and die. Because they are rarely seen during the day, they often go unnoticed by residents living right next to their habitats.

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Camera Tips

Capturing a European Eel requires a specialized setup, as they are almost entirely aquatic and nocturnal. If you have a stream or pond on your property, the most effective method is using a waterproof action camera or a dedicated underwater trail camera. Position the camera in shallow water (under 30cm) near a muddy bank or submerged logs where eels like to hide. Ensure the camera is weighted down or secured to a heavy stone to prevent it from drifting.

For those using standard backyard trail cameras, you can occasionally catch eels 'land-trekking' during exceptionally wet or humid nights, especially in the autumn. Aim your camera at damp, grassy paths between two bodies of water. Use the highest sensitivity setting and ensure your camera's infrared (IR) flash is active, as these fish are highly sensitive to white light and will flee from standard flash units.

To attract an eel into your camera's field of view, a small mesh bag filled with oily fish (like sardines) or chopped worms can be placed just in front of the lens. Eels have an incredible sense of smell and will follow the scent trail even in complete darkness. Late summer and early autumn are the best times for filming, as this is when 'silver eels' begin their downstream migration and are most active.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with European Eel.

American Eel

Visually identical but found in North America; has fewer vertebrae and a slightly different DNA profile.

Conger Eel

Much larger, strictly marine (never enters freshwater), and its upper jaw is longer than its lower jaw.

Brook Lamprey

Lacks paired fins and a jaw; has a distinctive circular sucking mouth and seven gill pores on each side.

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Frequently Asked Questions

European Eels are strictly nocturnal. They are most active from dusk until dawn, usually between 9 PM and 4 AM, when they leave their daytime hiding spots in the mud to hunt for food.

If you have a pond or stream, you can attract them by providing plenty of cover like submerged logs, large stones, or pipes. To draw them toward a camera, use scent-based lures like crushed earthworms or oily fish placed in a mesh container.

They are opportunistic carnivores. Young eels eat insect larvae and small crustaceans, while larger adults will hunt snails, worms, and even small fish or frogs.

Yes, they are surprisingly common in suburban canals, garden ponds, and local streams, though they are rarely seen because they stay hidden during the day and are currently facing a steep population decline.

It is nearly impossible to tell them apart by sight alone. The primary difference is the number of vertebrae (European eels have 110–119, while American eels have 103–111), but they are rarely found in the same geographic range.

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