The Indian mottled eel, also known as the Indian longfin eel, is a freshwater eel species native to India, Bangladesh, and other neighboring countries. It belongs to the family of eels known as the Anguillidae family.
The Indian mottled eel is a long, slender fish that can grow up to 1.5 meters in length. Its body is dark brown in color with light brown spots and a white belly. It has a long dorsal fin that runs the length of its body and a continuous anal fin.
| Serial No. | Characteristics | Description |
| 1 | Common name | Indian mottled eel |
| 2 | Scientific name | Anguilla bengalensis |
| 3 | Colour | Brownish-black with pale undersides |
| 4 | Average length in m | 1.2 – 1.5 meters |
| 5 | Average weight in kgs | 1 – 1.5 kilograms |
| 6 | Found in river systems of India | Ganges, Brahmaputra, Krishna and Mahanadi |
| 7 | Habitat | Freshwater rivers, estuaries, and wetlands |
| 8 | Any special characteristics | Can breathe air and move across land |
Features
The Indian Mottled Eel (Anguilla bengalensis) is a freshwater fish species native to the Indian subcontinent. The Indian Mottled Eel has a brownish-grey to greenish-brown color with irregular dark brown or black spots on its body.
The average size of this species is around 30-40 cm (12-16 inches), but it can grow up to 90 cm (35 inches). The weight of an adult Indian Mottled Eel can range from 1 to 3 kg (2-6.6 pounds).
The Indian Mottled Eel has a long and slender body, which is cylindrical in shape. Its dorsal, anal, and caudal fins are continuous and form a single fin that runs along the length of the body.
The Indian Mottled Eel is not known for its fast swimming speed. Instead, it moves slowly and smoothly, using its body undulations to propel itself through the water. It is a carnivorous fish species that feed on small fish, shrimp, crabs, and other aquatic invertebrates.
Habitat
This species prefers slow-moving or stagnant water with a muddy or sandy bottom. It can also be found in water bodies with dense vegetation, as it uses these plants for cover and shelter.
The Indian Mottled Eel is a nocturnal species and spends most of its time hiding in the substrate or under rocks and logs during the day. At night, it emerges from its hiding place to feed on small fish, shrimp, crabs, and other aquatic invertebrates.
The range of this species includes India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar, and parts of Pakistan.
River System
The Indian Mottled Eel (Anguilla bengalensis) is found in a number of river systems in India, as well as in other countries in the Indian subcontinent. Some of the major river systems where this species is found in India include
Ganga-Brahmaputra-Meghna River System: This is the largest river system in India and the third largest in the world by discharge. The Indian Mottled Eel is found in many of the rivers and tributaries that make up this system, including the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Meghna rivers.
Mahanadi River System: The Mahanadi is a major river in the eastern part of India, and the Indian Mottled Eel is found in many of its tributaries, including the Tel and Jonk rivers.
Krishna River System: The Krishna is one of the major rivers in the southern part of India, and the Indian Mottled Eel is found in many of its tributaries, including the Bhima and Tungabhadra rivers.
Threatened Status
The Indian Mottled Eel is considered to be a near threatened species in India. The exact status of the species varies depending on the region and the conservation status classification system used, but in general, the Indian Mottled Eel is facing significant threats that have resulted in declining populations.
One of the main threats to the Indian Mottled Eel is habitat loss and degradation due to human activities such as dam construction, water pollution, and land-use changes. These activities have led to the destruction of important breeding and feeding habitats for the species, and have also reduced the quality and quantity of available food sources.
Another major threat to the Indian Mottled Eel is overfishing, both for local consumption and for export. The species is highly valued for its meat and is considered a delicacy in some regions, which has led to unsustainable levels of fishing. In addition, the Indian Mottled Eel is also captured and sold for use in traditional medicine, further contributing to its decline.
Other threats to the Indian Mottled Eel include climate change, which can affect the quality and availability of its freshwater habitats, and the introduction of non-native species, which can compete with the Indian Mottled Eel for food and habitat.
