Anguilla bicolor

The Indian shortfin eel, Anguilla bicolor pacifica, is a species of eel in the genus Anguilla of the family Anguillidae. The Indian shortfin eel typically lives in fresh water or brackish water.

MORPHOLOGICAL FEATURES

• Dorsal spines: 0

• Dorsal soft rays: 240–245

• Anal spines: 0

• Anal soft rays: 200–220

• Vertebrae: 105–115 

• It is the “Fresh water eel”.

• Body is elongated, streamlined, serpent like and covered by soft skin.

• Head and trunk is sub cylindrical, tail laterally compressed.

• Caudal fin is gephyrocercal.

• Undergoes catadromous migration for spawning.

• Males are smaller than females.

• Pelvic fins are absent, gill openings are minute.

• Life cycle consists of 4 stages – Leptocephalus larva, Elver/ glass eel, yellow eel and silver eel.

HABITAT

• This eel typically lives in fresh or brackish water, and its habitat depends on environmental factors. It is often found in the lowland, coastal reaches of river systems, and rarely in large rivers.

DIET

• The Anguilla bicolor pacifica eats small fish, crustaceans, and mollusks.

REPRODUCTION

Spawning

• Anguilla bicolor pacifica eels spawn year-round in the open ocean, unlike temperate eels that spawn in the fall and winter. This is because the final stage of maturation for seaward spawning migration occurs throughout the year for tropical eels. 

 Migration

• Anguilla bicolor pacifica eels breed east of Madagascar, and the south equatorial current carries their larvae and elvers to the east coast of Africa. Local coastal currents then guide the elvers to suitable rivers where they stay until they are sexually mature. 

ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE

• The Anguilla bicolor pacifica is an important fishery resource in Southeast Asia.