Tag: Eel

Adult (yellow or silver) eels are eaten or used for bait, and they’re a traditional part of the diet for tribes in the area. It was a confluence of events that led to elvers becoming a major commercial fishery. In Maine, the story starts in the 1970s, at a time when sushi was becoming popular […]

Moray eels (Family Muraenidae) make up one of the largest families of bony fishes in Hawai’i, with more species (over 40) than any other fish family than perhaps the wrasses (Family Labridae). Their abundance cannot be truly appreciated because most species are small and remain well hidden within the reef. What types of eels live […]

Home Natural World On the coast of Curacao, a Spotted Moray Eel proves itself a cannibal as it eats smaller of its same species. On the coast of Curacao, a Spotted Moray Eel proves itself a cannibal as it eats smaller of its same species. Are eels cannibals? Eels are primarily predatory fish with carnivorous […]

Although not for everyone, many of the morays make outstanding aquarium pets. In fact, there are a number of species that are a great choice for the beginning marine aquarists. But because this group of eels is quite diverse, care should be taken to get a moray that is right for your aquarium. How do […]

Classification and Scientific Name Moray eels belong to the Muraenidae family. The name comes from mūrēna, which is Latin for the Mediterranean moray eel. This word in turn comes from the Greek word muraina. There are 16 genera and over 200 species. Are moray eels actually eels? The moray eel is considered a “true” eel, […]

Most fish species with pharyngeal teeth do not have extendable pharyngeal jaws. A particularly notable exception is the highly mobile pharyngeal jaw of the moray eels. Which eels have pharyngeal jaws? Moray eels have two sets of jaws–the oral jaws and the pharyngeal jaws. Do all eels have 2 jaws? Which animal has two sets […]

It may sound crazy, but a lot of people claim there is a “gentle side” to eels. Some Aquarium workers have even said the snake-like fish are even more like dogs, showing intelligence and memory uncharacteristic for a non-mammal. Still, none of this necessarily means that they make good pets. Are eels aggressive? Eels are […]

One amazing trait of the moray eel is its two sets of jaws, one set right in front and a second set in its throat! After the moray eel snags its prey with its front set of jaws, the second set of jaws grabs the food and pulls it down toward the stomach—just like a […]

The muscles that power the pharyngeal jaws are a key part of this. They have stretched over time so that they are much longer than those of other fishes, and can propel the jaws across the entire length of the eel’s skull. The moray’s large head houses powerful jaw-closing muscles that deliver formidable bites. Do […]

Back in 2007, Mehta described how the eels utilize a secondary set of extendable jaws to swallow prey while in the water. Known as pharyngeal jaws, they’re located inside the throat, behind the primary set of oral jaws in the mouth. What type of jaws do eels have? Moray eels have two sets of jaws–the […]

These eels actually have two sets of jaws. When they are ready to feed, the eels open up and push their second jaws, or the “pharyngeal jaws,” forward from their throat. Do eels have 2 sets of teeth? Concealed Weapon: Eels’ Second Set of Teeth California researchers have discovered that moray eels have a second […]

2. When a moray eel opens and closes its jaws while peering out of a hole, what might it be doing? a. It is sleeping or resting. Why do moray eels open and close their mouths? Morays, like many other eels, need to manually open and close their mouths to pass water over their gills! […]

Their small, circular gills, located on the flanks far posterior to the mouth, require the moray to maintain a gap to facilitate respiration. Does an eel have gills? Since they are a fish, they have gills and live in the water their entire lives. Their fin is singular and continuous, stretching down the dorsal, anal […]

Since they are a fish, they have gills and live in the water their entire lives. Their fin is singular and continuous, stretching down the dorsal, anal and caudal sides. Eels have elongated bodies with pointed heads, forming a snout and razor-sharp teeth. Do eels breathe through gills? The eel receives 85–90 per cent of […]

Unagi Recipes The eel is skewered and grilled with sweet basting sauce and is typically served over steamed white rice. Unagi also can be used as an ingredient in other Japanese dishes like​ unagi don, in which the eel is sliced and served on a bed of rice. Sushi (unakyu) made with unagi is also […]

ray-finned fish. Eels are ray-finned fish belonging to the order Anguilliformes (/æŋˈɡwɪlɪfɔːrmiːz/), which consists of eight suborders, 19 families, 111 genera, and about 800 species. Is eel a snake or fish? fishEels are actually fish (albeit typically longer) and are flatter than snakes. As marine animals and unlike reptiles, eels breathe underwater with their gills […]

It is one of the fattiest foods you will find in the sea. Unagi is a freshwater eel and is supposedly high in saturated cholesterol and fat. As compared to Anago, a saltwater eel, is less oily and rich, is a healthier choice. Many people prefer eating Unagi because of its richer taste. Is eel […]

“People in the past believed it promoted stamina, but this dish is a rarity today,” said the chef. In addition, freshwater eel is known in Korean culture to stimulate sexual desire and boost stamina. It is an ingredient eaten on hot summer days. Shin shared: “Eel is one of the best foods to keep you […]

Can Pregnant Women Eat Eel Sushi? Eel is very common in sushi, and it’s one of the few types of sushi roll that can be eaten safely in pregnancy. This is because eel is always cooked. Eel can’t be served raw, as its blood contains toxins that have to be cooked out (1). Is eel […]

References and further reading Much like the rings in the trunk of a tree, eels can be aged by counting the rings on their otolith or ear bone. In the laboratory, the eels’ otoliths are processed so that the rings stand out – then they are cut in half and mounted for viewing under the […]