Anguilliformes -

: True eels are distinguished by the fusion of rostral bones into a single complex and the lack of a pelvic girdle.

The most distinct feature of the Anguilliformes is their . After hatching as transparent leptocephali , they drift on ocean currents for months or years. They then transform into juvenile "glass eels" before reaching their adult form. anguilliformes

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. : True eels are distinguished by the fusion

The oldest fossil record of a living true eel lineage ... - bioRxiv anguilliformes