When the time for spawning approaches, the adults will swim to the ocean where females will deposit eggs into the marine environment.\u00a0 When the eggs hatch, small transparent larvae, called leptocephali, emerge and then drift around in the ocean currents for months until reaching an estuary.\u00a0 Once they reach an estuary, they migrate upstream in a special form called elvers.\u00a0 Over the next eight to forty years, they live their lives these brackish freshwater systems.\u00a0 Beginning as a yellow Eel, they will eventually become silver when they reach maturity and are ready to travel back to the ocean for spawning.<\/p>\n

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Cool Facts About The Giant Mottled Eel The Giant Mottled Eel is one of the largest eel species in the world, reaching lengths of around two meters (6.6′) and weighing approximately 20.5 kg (40 lbs).\u00a0 These eels are interesting because they have been found in such distant regions as the Galapagos Islands as a result of abnormal ocean currents during unique weather events like El Nino. The current conservation status of the Giant Mottled Eel is stable as they are not on any threatened species lists; however, certain localities, such as Taiwan, are concerned the eels may be in danger <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":8176,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[64,4024],"tags":[348,599,600,3701,3702,3703,4025],"yoast_head":"\n