Silver eels

[Dave78]

A few months ago I caught a very small eel in brackish water near cobh, I counted this as a species for 2014, I caught a nice sized silver eel Friday night my first of 2014 or so I thought , my mate tells me that the tiddler I got in brackish water is the same species, I always thought they were a different species, any help ?

[roger de dodger]

Silver eels can live in sea water they can be up to 3 foot long, stap conger are black compared to their cousins silver eels are also protected due to declining stocks !

[JimC]

I reckon we only have 2 eels.
Conger and Freshwater/silver. They are distinctive in terms of ID.
The fish ID book covers them well.
http://www.fisheriesireland.ie/angling- ... handbook-1

[Dave78]

Cheers lads, I posted this up a few weeks ago thanks for replying, I figured out the small eel and the silver eel were the same species, the first one was caught inside an estuary the other ones from a pier.
I didn't realise they were protected so its just as well I put most fish back alive, unless it happens to be a bit of whiting or cod.
I know the difference between conger and silver eel , I was curious about the difference between silver eel and freshwater/brackish water variety.
Thanks again

[donal domeney]

Just in case you missed this along the way: http://www.dcenr.gov.ie/NR/rdonlyres/21 ... 122012.pdf

[Dave78]

Thanks Donal, I wasn't targeting them each time I caught them and they went back safe on all occasions, I didn't know they were protected, thanks for the info

[tigger]

The eels you catch in rivers are silver eels the ones in the sea are heading out too spawn or returning to fresh to mate