Anguilliformes -

The most distinct feature of the Anguilliformes is their . After hatching as transparent leptocephali , they drift on ocean currents for months or years. They then transform into juvenile "glass eels" before reaching their adult form.

: The majority are marine, inhabiting everything from shallow coral reefs (like moray eels ) to the abyssal zone (like gulper eels ). anguilliformes

The oldest fossil record of a living true eel lineage ... - bioRxiv The most distinct feature of the Anguilliformes is their

While many other fish—such as electric eels and swamp eels—have evolved similar elongated shapes, they belong to different taxonomic orders and are not "true" eels. : The majority are marine, inhabiting everything from

True eels are found globally in a vast range of aquatic environments:

: Most species have a snakelike appearance with a complete absence of pelvic fins . Their dorsal, anal, and caudal fins are often continuous, forming a single fringe around the tail.

: True eels are distinguished by the fusion of rostral bones into a single complex and the lack of a pelvic girdle.