Questions about cave eel in Manatee Springs

[sdenney]

During a dive yesterday (02/21/2016) in Manatee Springs, my buddy and I observed an eel in the cave just upstream of Catfish Hotel. It was about 10-12 inches in length (a baby/ juvenile?), with a greenish-brown upper coloration and white on the underside. I have only ever seen one other eel in the ten or so years of cave diving and it has piqued my curiosity. For those who know, are these just common American Freshwater Eels, is this a distinct population or sub-species, or is this a separate species altogether? How rare are they and where do they live most of the time?

My buddy and I were also lucky to have a manatee swim around us while we were deco'ing in the head spring. I'm kicking myself for not bringing my video camera on this dive.

[Walter Pickel]

Sean,

I have seen them at the Nest.

[JBaldwin]

I've see them quite often at Ginnie .smaller maybe 12-18" long on average

[MikeT]

I saw one last time in the Ginnie ballroom (September?) during a dive with my wife.

[FW]

Around 30 years ago, eels were pretty common in FL caves, especially on the millpond. Twin used to have dozens of them. I didn't see any last week. I did see one big one in JB though. It is probably a good sign that they may be returning. On the other hand, they "hide" by stirring up silt

[Ben M]

Around 30 years ago, eels were pretty common in FL caves, especially on the millpond. Twin used to have dozens of them. I didn't see any last week. I did see one big one in JB though. It is probably a good sign that they may be returning. On the other hand, they "hide" by stirring up silt

I did not remember seeing them for years on the millpond but in the past year or 2 I have seen many. Maybe a dozen in jb about 6 months ago. I see them on the river caves all the time and figured the dam kept them out of the millpond.

My understanding is they are all the same. Born in the sea, migrate to freshwaters and then return to sea later in life to make more....

[bamafan]

Just go to Morrison they are everywhere. Like Ben said I have seen them in JB. The ones I have seen have been around the Trash Room. I was told they are actually a salt water eel that migrates up into the springs. I don't know if that is true or not. I am curious how they are getting past the damn on the Millpond if that is true.

[patpicos]

i saw 2 big ones at the 600' mark or so in JB today. Some big catfish were also hanging around at the same location.

I also saw one in the distance of the trash room on way out. Pretty neat to see in the cave.


The amount of minnows in JB right now is ridiculous!

[Ben M]

i saw 2 big ones at the 600' mark or so in JB today. Some big catfish were also hanging around at the same location.

I also saw one in the distance of the trash room on way out. Pretty neat to see in the cave.


The amount of minnows in JB right now is ridiculous!

Must have past you in the cave today. I saw a cave crayfish with a half minnow in his claw.

[patpicos]

were you one of the sidekick RB divers? only folks that i saw that were in the cave beside our group....or the class in the cavern