Learn & Explore/Species/Introduced/Freshwater Eel

Freshwater Eel

Category: Introduced

An introduced eel that may disrupt native Hawaiian stream ecosystems.

Freshwater Eel (Anguilla marmorata)

  • Long cylindrical scaleless bodies with small pectoral fins 1

  • Lower jaw protrudes beyond upper jaw  1

  • Marbled coloration of black and brown hues  2

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Habitat

  • Live in estuaries and seas when young and move to freshwater as adults 2

  • Can also be found in brackish water.

Impacts & Concern

No studies available in Hawai‘i to determine potential impacts of introduction 1

Introduction

  • Unknown means of introduction, possibly either an aquarium release or a food-fish escape 1

  • Failed to establish on Maui in 2002  1

Distribution in Hawai‘i

  • Kauaʻi: Not documented

  • Oʻahu: Not documented

  • Molokaʻi: Not documented

  • Lānaʻi: Not documented

  • Maui: Observed but not established

  • Hawaiʻi Island: Not documented

References and Further Reading

  1. Schofield, P.J., & Fuller, P. (2021) Anguilla marmorata Quoy and Gaimard, 1824: U.S. Geological Survey, Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database, Gainesville, FL. https://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/FactSheet.aspx?SpeciesID=2291

  2. USFWS. (2018). Anguilla marmorata Ecological Risk Screening Summary. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. https://www.fws.gov/fisheries/ans/erss/uncertainrisk/ERSS-Anguilla-marmorata-final-August2018.pdf

Other Introduced & Invasive

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Marine

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Freshwater

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Brackish

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Seaweed/Algae