As catadromous fish, European eels spend most of their adult lives in freshwater rivers, streams, and estuaries before returning to the open ocean to spawn and lay eggs. As young larvae, baby eels drift around the sea for between seven months and three years.

Where do eels go to lay their eggs?

Longfin eels breed only once, at the end of their life. When they are ready to breed they leave New Zealand and swim all the way to the sub-tropical Pacific Ocean to spawn, probably in very deep ocean trenches. When they reach their destination, the females lay millions of eggs that are fertilised by the male.

Where do eel fish breed?

Eel farms are found in many countries, and the significant producers are European countries, Scandinavian countries, China, Taiwan, Australia and Morocco, with the largest single producer being Japan.