(54) Anguilla rostrata (LeSueur) 1817 

 Eel, common eel 



Specimens: (PLATES 19, 20) 



This catadromous species is common in the fresh, salt and brack- 

 ish waters of Rhode Island. It is found in all of the coastal rivers 

 and salt ponds of the state. During the spring, there is a migration 

 of young eels two and three inches long up the coastal rivers. 

 Numerous eels were collected in the Pawcatuck River and Little 

 Narragansett Bay in eel pots, from May to October, 1957. These 

 ranged in size from six inches to three feet (TL). Photographs and 

 description of Rhode Island eels appear in Gordon (1957 i). 



Economic Importance: 



The eel is utilized chiefly as a baitnsh for striped bass and blue- 

 fish. Eels are sometimes sold as food fish. In 1957, 869 pounds of 

 eels valued at $196 were landed at Rhode Island ports. 



Genus Conger 



(55) Conger oceanica (Mitchill) 1818 

 Conger eel, sea eel 



Specimens: 



This species is taken by trap fishermen and inshore and offshore 

 trawlers. There are numerous records of this species from Rhode 

 Island, ranging from three to six feet (TL). This species is much 

 larger than the common eel and is frequently observed by skin 

 divers. 



Economic Importance: 



During 1957, 24,443 pounds of conger eel valued at $690 were 

 landed at Rhode Island ports. 



Family Alepisauridae 

 Genus Alepiasaurus 

 (56) Alepiasaurus ferox Lowe 1833 

 Lancetfish, handsawfish 

 29 



