Origin
Monopterus albus is native to Asia and potentially northeastern Australia. Asian swamp eel were likely introduced to the United States as intentionally released or escaped individuals from aquariums, fish farms, and the live food market.

Life Cycle
Easily mistaken for the native American eel (Anguilla rostrata) or another invasive eel, the European eel (Anguilla anguilla), M. albus is identifiable by the absence of a pectoral fin. Adult Asian swamp eels are approximately 39 in. (100 cm) in length, have a snake-like body with no obvious fins, olive-brown in color with a yellow-orange underside, and a v-shaped gill opening. M. albus is nocturnal and burrows during the day and are found in a wide variety of freshwater habitats. Asian swamp eels are voracious predators that eat an array of prey including aquatic invertebrates, turtle eggs, frogs, and shrimp.

Distribution
M. albus are found in Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, and New Jersey.

Control Efforts
The effects of M. albus are unknown. A combination of management techniques including trapping, electrical barriers, and removal of vegetation may help limit the spread of M. albus to new areas. Regulations to prohibit the release of M. albus from aquariums and to prohibit deliberately stocking ponds could help slow their spreading to new areas. Prohibiting the use of juveniles as bait or dumping the bait buckets into or near any body of water would also help slow their spread to new areas.

https://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/FactSheet.aspx?SpeciesID=974
http://www.tsusinvasives.org/home/database/monopterus-albus

Resources

• Florida's Exotic Wildlife Species Detail - Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Selected Images

Maps

Invasive Listing Sources

• Everglades Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area
• Florida Invasive Species Partnership
• Invasive Species of Concern in Georgia
• Maryland Aquatic Nuisance Species Plan
• Maryland Invasive Species Council - Invasive Species of Concern in Maryland
• Mid-Atlantic Field Guide to Aquatic Invasive Species
• New Jersey Invasive Species Strike Team 2017 Invasive Species List
• New York Regulated and Prohibited Invasive Species - Regulated