NEWBURYPORT — The Parker River National Wildlife Refuge is now displaying a live eel tank as part of the exhibits. This tank is located in the visitor center, 6 Plum Island Turnpike, and is viewable while the visitor center is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The American eel is a slimy, fascinating fish that lives an interesting life cycle. These eels begin their life thousands of miles away in the Sargasso Sea, which is in the North Atlantic between the West Indies and the Azores. After hatching, the eel eggs float to the ocean surface and hatch into small, transparent larvae shaped like willow leaves. These larvae drift with the Gulf Stream and other currents, taking about a year to reach the Atlantic coast, and even all the way to Parker River.
These carnivorous creatures feed on fish, fish eggs, crabs, worms, clams, as well as dead animals. They can absorb oxygen though their gills as well as their skin. This gives them the ability to travel short distances on land. The American eel is a special species of fish because it is what they call Catadromous. This means that they mature in fresh water and then return to the ocean to spawn. Other anadromous fish are the Atlantic salmon and the American shad.
Joining the American eels will be a few mummichogs from the Stage Island impoundment. Mummichogs can be found along the East Coast abundantly. They can grow up to 5 inches long and can consume up to 2,000 mosquitoes in one day. They are an extremely hardy fish and act as a great food source for larger fish. They are also the biggest mosquito control factor on the refuge.
