Lizard Fish and Eels

The lizard fish, which belongs to the family Synodontidae in the order Scopeliformes, is a fairly small deep-water fish. It is unknown in British waters (and unlikely ever to be imported), but related species are to be found on both the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of North America.

Anguilla is the Latin name for eel, and eels belong to the order Anguilliformes. The three edible eels listed belong to the families Anguillidae, Muraenidae and Congridae. Two of them, the common eel and the conger, are found in British waters. In North American waters the American eel is closely akin to the common eel, and is eaten in some areas, although much less than its merits would warrant. There are also congers and morays, but these are rarely eaten.