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