How do eels move?

[rhitee93]

I've searched for this on the interweb a few times, but not found the answer so I thought I'd try here. How do eels move along the rocks?

I understand how they swim. Every article I find talks about their swimming mechanics. However, when I watch my snowflake "Crawl" along the rockwork, it doesn't appear to be using swimming mechanics. It also doesn't have belly scales like a snake that I can see, so I don't think it moves in the same way snakes do. It can also move backward.

So, how do they do it?

 

[Crabs McJones]

I always thought it was similar to a snake. combination of gripping the rock with belly muscle and pushing themselves forward with their tail. Interested to see if someone has more insight, would like to know too :)

 

[Dragen Fiend]

Based off research, they still use lateral undulation like snakes to slither on the floor bed. However when it comes to swimming. They have their dorsal fin and anal fins for gliding in the water (AKA swimming).

 

[jsmkmavity]

They usually have their tail against something like a hole or irregularity and push away from it but any part of their body can be the anchor point or balance point.