Aren’t They Precious These angelic images are of baby eels, also known as leptocephal

Aren’t They Precious

These angelic images are of baby eels, also known as leptocephali. Figures A and F show moray eel leptocephali. Don’t they look just like mommy?

Leptocephali are almost totally see-through. They have colorless blood, and their bodies are composed mostly of a transparent, gelatinous material that serves as both energy storage and structural support (since they’re just so damn frail). 

Despite their fragile appearance, leptocephali are actually pretty good swimmers. They exhibit the highly efficient anguilliform swimming style, suited for long-term, slow swimming. 

Depending on the species, eels may remain in this larval stage for as long as 250 days, before undergoing metamorphosis. 

After metamorphosis, they grow into juveniles, then into the fully-mature adult eels we know and love. *tear*

Image source: Miller. 2009.

Reference:Miller. 2009.