Anguilliformes, Clupeids, and Engraulids 1 Order Anguilliformes (Eels) American eel Moray Eel Conger Eel.

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Order Anguilliformes (Eels)

American eel

Moray Eel

Conger Eel

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Anguilliformes Characteristics

Lack pelvic fins Dorsal and anal fins are continuos with

the caudal fin Embedded cycloid scales, or totally absent Lack gill rakers Reduced skeleton

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Anguilliformes Characteristics

All have leptocephalus larvae

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Order Anguilliformes

Freshwater Eels Moray Eels Conger Eels Snake Eels

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Freshwater Eels

Catadromous Important predator in many lakes and streams

• Considered a food fish in some locals

Local species: American Eel (Anguilla rostrata)

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Freshwater Eel Reproduction

Migrate to the Sargasso Sea after 6-12 years in freshwater habitats• Size - 35 - 150cm.

Spawn at great depths and die Leptocephalus larvae “migrate” to coastal

waters, and metamorphose into elvers

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Spawning Sites

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Moray Eels

Efficient predators on reefs and rocky shores• Preys on inverts and

fish

Teeth are always on display since they have to hold their mouth open to breathe

May exceed 9ft. rarely > 3ft.

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Conger Eels

Resemble morays• Have pectoral fins

and stout cone shaped teeth

Most prey on inverts

Garden eels• Feed on plankton

and often mistaken as seagrass

Garden Eels

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Snake Eels

Largest of all eel families

Small in size (<3ft.) and brightly colored

Rarely seen, due to burrowing and nocturnal behavior

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Family Clupeidae (Herrings)

Includes: Herrings, Shads, Sardines, and Menhaden

Live in well-lit surface waters• School• Feed on plankton

DMF Website

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Clupeidae Characteristics

Silvery scales and compressed body• Flexible mouth, with

fine gill rakers

Play key roles in many food webs • Highly abundant,

ability to feed on plankton

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Clupeidae Characteristics

Concentrate in coastal waters Many species are not harvested for

direct consumption Important prey items for other

commercially important species Several anadromous species

• Gizzard shad• American Shad

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Atlantic Menhaden (Brevoortia tyrannus)

Important commercial fishery on the East coast

Omega protein

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Purse Seine

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American Shad (Alosa sapidissima)

Anadromous species Spawn all over the

East coast Female spawns over

600,000 eggs• Valuable for the roe

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Common Clupeids

Atlantic Thread Herring (Opisthonema oglinum)

Round Herring (Etrumeus teres)

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Family Engraulidae

Small, (<15cm.) filter feeder• Inhabit inshore waters

where plankton densities are highest

Distinguished by inferior mouth

Like Clupeids, numbers fluctuate due to fishing pressure and oceanographic conditions

Striped Anchovy Anchoa hepsetus

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Family Engraulidae

Peruvian Anchoveta• Occurr in the

upwelling currents on the west coast of South America

• Once one of the worlds largest fisheries

• El Nino combined with fishing pressure caused a major collapse