In 2008 a new alien species was found invading U.S. waters. This new species is the Asian Swamp Eel. To date, the Eel appears to be limited only to Silver Lake. Silver Lake is a 10 acre body of water located in Gibbsboro, New Jersey. [See Video]

The Asian Swamp Eel is not a true Eel. This species is scale less and have an elongated body with a tapering tail and blunt snout. They have only one V-shaped gill located beneath their head, and their teeth appear like bristles. The Asian Swamp Eel has no fins.

When comparing the Asian Swamp Eel to the American Eel and Lamprey look for the following features of an American Eel:

American Eels have Pectoral fins, a long-rayed dorsal fin, anal and caudal fins, and embedded scales.

Lampreys have distinct dorsal and caudal fins and seven gill openings on each side.

The Asian Swamp Eels life cycle takes place exclusively in fresh water. An interesting fact is that all Asian Swamp Eels hatch as female. Once adulthood is reached the eel can develop into males and change back to female if the female population is low.

These eels are nocturnal so chances are slim that you will spot one. Their habitat of choice include shallow wet lands, stagnant waters, marches, streams, rivers, ditches, canals, lakes reservoirs and ponds. They can survive a wide range of oxygen levels as well as ice-covered lakes. Although they can tolerate brackish and saline conditions they prefer freshwater.

The exact way the Asian Swamp Eel was introduced to the North America is unknown. Like other foreign species that have been introduced to the U.S. their appetite is voracious. They feed on a wide variety of prey including fish, shrimp, crayfish, frogs, turtle eggs and aquatic invertebrates.

This new species should serve as a warning that the careless introduction of a non-native species can cause ecological damage to our waters.   

If you spot an Asian Swamp Eel immediately contact your states DNR (Department of Natural Resources).