The yellow European eel (Anguilla anguilla L.) may adopt a sedentary lifestyle in inland freshwaters

We analysed the movements of the growing yellow phase using a long-term mark-recapture programme on European eels in a small catchment (the Fremur, France). The results showed that of the yellow eels (>200 mm) recaptured, more than 90% were recaptured at the original marking site over a long period before the silvering metamorphosis and downstream migration. We conclude that yellow European eels >200 mm may adopt a sedentary lifestyle in freshwater area, especially in small catchment.