AnAge entry for Anguilla anguilla

Classification (HAGRID: 03792)

Taxonomy
Kingdom: Animalia
    Phylum: Chordata
        Class: Teleostei
            Order: Anguilliformes
                Family: Anguillidae
                    Genus: Anguilla
Species
Anguilla anguilla
Common name
European eel
Synonyms
Anguilla vulgaris

Lifespan, ageing, and relevant traits

Maximum longevity
88 years (captivity)
Source
ref. 2
Sample size
Small
Data quality
Acceptable
Observations

In the wild, these semelparous animals die after first spawning. After transformation from juvenile to adult stage they do not eat and feature elevated corticosteroids while they migrate to the Sargasso Sea to spawn. Preventing migration by keeping animals in captivity significantly extends lifespan. One female called "Putte", generally assumed to be a European eel, died at Halsinborgs Museum in Sweden at about 88 years of age [0002]. In the wild, animals do not commonly live more than 10-15 years, though it is possible some live up to 30 years [0454].

Life history traits (averages)

Female sexual maturity
4,562 days
Male sexual maturity
4,015 days
Adult weight
3,629 g

Metabolism

No information on metabolism is available.

References

External Resources

Integrated Taxonomic Information System
ITIS 161128
Animal Diversity Web
ADW account (if available)
Encyclopaedia of Life
Search EOL
NCBI Taxonomy
Taxonomy ID 7936
Entrez
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Ageing Literature
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Images
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Internet
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