Catadromous fish are born in saltwater, then migrate into freshwater as juveniles where they grow into adults before migrating back into the ocean to spawn. Examples: American eel, European eel, inanga, shortfin eel, longfin eel.

What does Catadromous mean?

: living in fresh water and going to the sea to spawn catadromous eels — compare anadromous.

What is catadromous and anadromous fish?

Anadromous fishes spend most of their adult lives at sea, but return to fresh water to spawn. Catadromous is a term used for a special category of marine fishes who spend most of their adult lives in fresh water, but must return to the sea to spawn.