While many other fish—such as electric eels and swamp eels—have evolved similar elongated shapes, they belong to different taxonomic orders and are not "true" eels.
Anguilliformes is the taxonomic order of , a group of ray-finned fishes containing approximately 1,000 species across 20 families. They are defined by their elongated, cylindrical bodies and a unique life cycle involving a transparent, leaf-like larval stage called a leptocephalus . Key Biological Features anguilliformes
: Many species lack scales entirely; if present, they are deeply embedded in the skin. Diversity and Habitat While many other fish—such as electric eels and