The life cycle and migratory patterns of eels had scientists stumped until relatively recently. Aristotle once theorized that these long, thin fish were spontaneously generated from the mud of river bottoms. Pliny the Elder thought they developed from adult eel skin that had rubbed off against rocks.
Though the true science behind the eel is more plausible than these ancient speculations, it’s equally fascinating. The story of the American eel, a species commonly found throughout the Chesapeake Bay, is just one example of how these bony fish overcome immense obstacles to survive. Here to share its story is National Aquarium General Curator Jack Cover.
