Timing of maturation of a tropical eel, A nguilla bicolor bicolor in M alaysia

Summary In order to understand the life history of the tropical freshwater eel Anguilla bicolor bicolor found in Malaysian natural waters, the timing of maturation was studied. Age at maturation of the species ranged from 4 to 6 years. The timing of maturation was similar to that of the temperate eel A . japonica , but earlier than that of other temperate eels A . anguilla , A . rostrata , A . australis and A . dieffenbachii , reported previously. The higher growth rate found in A . bicolor bicolor associated with the habitat environment might induce the differences in the maturation timing among species.