Asian Swamp Eel

Monopterus albus

"Worst Choice" Pet Worst Choice

The Asian Swamp Eel (also known as the Rice Eel and White Ricefield Eel) is native to eastern and southern Asia and Australia. It has an elongate or snake-like body with no noticeable scales or fins, but is not related to the true eels and does not migrate to the ocean to spawn. Asian Swamp Eels are mostly found in warm freshwater habitats such as ponds, swamps, canals, and rice fields; however, they can breathe air, travel and hunt on dry land, and survive for months without water by burrowing in mud. They also tolerate temperatures below freezing and high saline (salty) water. Asian Swamp Eels are nocturnal, reach up to 3 feet in length, and weigh up to 1 pound. They are voracious predators, using tiny teeth to eat a wide variety of animal prey, including fish, amphibians, insects, and crustaceans.

Valued as a delicacy by many Asian cultures, they are raised for food in many parts of the world, including the U.S. Intentionally or accidentally released eels have established wild populations and caused serious harm to native wildlife. There are a number of advisories and regulations concerning this eel’s transport.

Did You Know?

Asian Swamp Eels can breathe air, travel and hunt on dry land, and survive for months without water by burrowing in mud.

Source Sustainability Unable to Rank Choice

Does the harvest for wildlife trade or captive breeding of this species harm wild populations?

Unable to Rank

PetWatch did not find sufficient information to evaluate the source sustainability of Asian Swamp Eels.

PetWatch Recommendation:

PetWatch has classified the Asian Swamp Eel as a Worst Choice pet. It is not a recommended pet.

Invasion Threat Worst Choice

Does the release or escape of this species into the wild harm the environment and/or economy?

Significant Cause for Concern

The Asian Swamp Eel is globally recognized as a potentially harmful invasive species. It is a voracious, generalized predator, it adapts well to many habitats, and it is capable of surviving difficult environmental conditions.

Asian Swamp Eels have established self-sustaining populations in Hawaii, Georgia, and Florida. Because of their habitat flexibility, predatory nature, and lack of predators, experts fear that Asian Swamp Eels will continue to invade U.S. waterways. In particular, there is a significant concern that Asian Swamp Eels will spread into the Florida Everglades and cause severe harm to endangered wildlife. Control measures, such as electrical barriers and trapping, to limit their dispersal are currently being evaluated. Given the species’ high threat of invasion, it cannot be recommended as a pet.

PetWatch Recommendation:

PetWatch has classified the Asian Swamp Eel as a Worst Choice pet. It is not a recommended pet.

Animal Welfare Best Choice

Does harvest, captive breeding, transport, or being kept as a pet harm individual animals?

Little Cause for Concern

There is little evidence of negative impacts to individual Asian Swamp Eels associated with their harvest, captive breeding, handling. or transport. Indeed, Asian Swamp Eels adapt well to many environments and tolerate a wide range of conditions.

PetWatch Recommendation:

PetWatch has classified the Asian Swamp Eel as a Worst Choice pet. It is not a recommended pet.

Health Threat Fair Choice

Does this animal pose a health risk to native wildlife, humans, livestock and agriculture?

Some Cause for Concern

Asian Swamp Eels are known to carry many parasites harmful to humans and other fish, especially the American Eel.

Asian Swamp Eels are natural hosts for parasitic nematodes of the genus, Gnathostoma, carrying their larvae in high numbers. Humans who eat infested eels can become infested themselves; this can result in serious illness and, if left untreated, death. Additionally, the spread of parasites from introduced Asian Swamp Eels is thought to be one reason for the decline of true eel populations worldwide.

PetWatch Recommendation:

PetWatch has classified the Asian Swamp Eel as a Worst Choice pet. It is not a recommended pet.

EcoHealth Alliance works at the intersection of ecosystem, animal and human health through local conservation programs and develops global health solutions to emerging diseases.
More about EcoHealth Alliance