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European eel
Aal
Scientific name: Anguilla anguilla
NativeFreshwaterMigratory
Behavior
A catadromous migratory fish. Spends most of its life (5-20 years) growing in freshwater, then migrates thousands of kilometres to the Sargasso Sea in the Atlantic to spawn once mature, and dies afterward. Nocturnal.
Features
Snake-like elongated body, no pelvic fins. Females reach 1.5 m, much larger than males (up to 60 cm). By head shape, distinguished into "narrow-headed" eels (mainly eating small prey) and "broad-headed" eels (mainly eating fish).
Distribution
Native to Europe, Asia Minor, and North Africa. Widespread across Germany's coastal and inland waters. Critically endangered due to a sharp population decline, strictly regulated with minimum catch sizes.