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Anguilliformes, Clupeids, and Engraulids
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Order Anguilliformes (Eels)
American eel
Moray Eel
Conger Eel
Anguilliformes, Clupeids, and Engraulids
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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
Anguilliformes, Clupeids, and Engraulids
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Anguilliformes Characteristics
All have leptocephalus larvae
Anguilliformes, Clupeids, and Engraulids
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Order Anguilliformes
Freshwater Eels Moray Eels Conger Eels Snake Eels
Anguilliformes, Clupeids, and Engraulids
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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)
Anguilliformes, Clupeids, and Engraulids
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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
Anguilliformes, Clupeids, and Engraulids
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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.
Anguilliformes, Clupeids, and Engraulids
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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
Anguilliformes, Clupeids, and Engraulids
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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
Anguilliformes, Clupeids, and Engraulids
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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
Anguilliformes, Clupeids, and Engraulids
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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
Anguilliformes, Clupeids, and Engraulids
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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
Anguilliformes, Clupeids, and Engraulids
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Atlantic Menhaden (Brevoortia tyrannus)
Important commercial fishery on the East coast
Omega protein
Anguilliformes, Clupeids, and Engraulids
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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
Anguilliformes, Clupeids, and Engraulids
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Common Clupeids
Atlantic Thread Herring (Opisthonema oglinum)
Round Herring (Etrumeus teres)
Anguilliformes, Clupeids, and Engraulids
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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