How is the gulper eel born?

Gulper eels, also known as pelican eels, are fascinating deep-sea creatures, but unfortunately, the details of their reproductive cycle are still largely unknown. Here's what we can piece together:

* Oviparous: Like most fish, gulper eels are oviparous, meaning they lay eggs.

* Deep-sea spawning: Due to their deep-sea habitat, it's likely they spawn in the depths.

* Limited observation: The extreme depths where they live make direct observation of their breeding habits very difficult.

What we DO know:

* Eggs: The eggs of some deep-sea eels have been found, suggesting they may be pelagic, meaning they float freely in the water column.

* Larvae: Larvae of gulper eels are quite different in appearance from adults, with more elongated bodies. They undergo metamorphosis to become the distinctive adult form.

Further research:

More research is needed to understand the full reproductive process of gulper eels. This is a challenging endeavor due to the extreme environment they inhabit.