Anguilliformes

: True eels are distinguished by the fusion of rostral bones into a single complex and the lack of a pelvic girdle.

: Many species lack scales entirely; if present, they are deeply embedded in the skin. Diversity and Habitat

: Most species have a snakelike appearance with a complete absence of pelvic fins . Their dorsal, anal, and caudal fins are often continuous, forming a single fringe around the tail. anguilliformes

The most distinct feature of the Anguilliformes is their . After hatching as transparent leptocephali , they drift on ocean currents for months or years. They then transform into juvenile "glass eels" before reaching their adult form.

: The family Anguillidae includes catadromous species that live in freshwater but migrate to the ocean to spawn. Major Groups : Well-known families include: Muraenidae : Moray eels. Congridae : Conger and garden eels. Anguillidae : Freshwater eels. Ophichthidae : Snake and worm eels. Life Cycle : True eels are distinguished by the fusion

The oldest fossil record of a living true eel lineage ... - bioRxiv

: The majority are marine, inhabiting everything from shallow coral reefs (like moray eels ) to the abyssal zone (like gulper eels ). Their dorsal, anal, and caudal fins are often

While many other fish—such as electric eels and swamp eels—have evolved similar elongated shapes, they belong to different taxonomic orders and are not "true" eels.