Description:
The American eel is a large, snake-like fish that may reach up to 5 feet in length, with females generally larger than males.  The body is almost circular in cross section at the anterior but is somewhat compressed posteriorly.  Body color is variable, but usually shades of brown or green dorsally, yellowish to white ventrally.  While other eel species lack pelvic fins and scales, the American eel has both.  There are no spines present in fin rays.  The dorsal fin originates well behind the head and is continuous with the caudal and anal fins.  The head is large, approximately 1/7th body length, with a terminal mouth.  Both jaws have well developed lip folds, and the lower jaw projects slightly.

Habitat:
Adults are primarily found in freshwater areas, but return to the sea for spawning.  Eggs hatch in open waters into leptocephali larvae.  Leptocephali, return to nearshore coastal waters and estuaries and develop into juveniles, called elvers.  Older juveniles later enter freshwater.
 

Range:
American eels range from the Labrador coast south along the U.S. coast and the Gulf of Mexico to Guyana in northern South America.