Eels are elongated, fish-like creatures with unique adaptations, thriving in diverse aquatic habitats from shallow coastal waters to the deep sea. Their impressive size often sparks curiosity. This article explores the largest eel species, its dimensions, and the nuances of defining “biggest” among these creatures.
The Record Holder
The European conger eel (Conger conger) holds the distinction of being the largest eel species by weight. It can reach extraordinary sizes, with individuals recorded at a maximum length of 3 meters (9.8 feet). The heaviest specimens can weigh around 110 kilograms (240 pounds), with weights reaching up to 160 kilograms (350 pounds). While average adult European congers measure about 1.5 meters (5 feet) long and weigh between 2.5 to 25 kilograms, females are notably larger than males.
Life of the Largest Eel
The European conger eel primarily inhabits the northeast Atlantic Ocean, including the Mediterranean and Black Seas. These eels reside at depths ranging from 0 to 500 meters, preferring rough, rocky, and broken seafloor environments for hiding. During daylight hours, European congers remain concealed within holes, crevices, or shipwrecks, emerging after nightfall to hunt.
As nocturnal predators, their diet primarily consists of fish, cephalopods like squid and octopus, and various crustaceans such as crabs and lobsters. They also scavenge on carrion when available. The European conger possesses a long, snake-like body without scales, appearing grey or blackish with a white underside.
They reproduce once in their lifespan, reaching sexual maturity between 5 and 15 years of age. They undertake extensive migrations to specific spawning grounds, such as areas near Sardinia in the Mediterranean or the Azores in the Atlantic. Females release millions of eggs, and both male and female eels are thought to die shortly after spawning. The larval eels, known as leptocephali, then drift with ocean currents towards shallower waters to develop.
Defining “Biggest”
The term “biggest” can be interpreted in different ways when discussing eel species, primarily referring to either maximum length or maximum weight. While the European conger eel is recognized as the heaviest eel, other species may surpass it in length. For instance, the slender giant moray (Strophidon sathete) is considered the longest eel, capable of reaching lengths of up to 13 feet (3.96 meters). The giant moray (Gymnothorax javanicus) also grows large, often reaching 3 meters (9.8 feet) long and weighing around 30 kilograms (66 pounds). While some moray eels might rival or even exceed the European conger in length, their bodies tend to be more slender, resulting in a lower overall weight. Therefore, while the European conger dominates in weight, the title of “biggest” by length belongs to a different species, highlighting the importance of specifying the metric when discussing eel size.