More than 95% of our swamp eel sampling is done with an boat mounted electrofisher in southeast Florida canals, although we have also sampled a southwest Florida river for this species.

We use Smith-Root Model 9.0 GPP set at 680 volts, 120 pps, 8-10 amps, and anode/cathode booms. We typically electrofish parallel to shorelines and or adjacent stands of shoreline vegetation that are too dense to shock in with the anode on the shoreline side.

Depending on specific study objectives and size of area to be sampled, we might shock the entire shoreline, pre-identified or suspected 'hotspots', or select 3-6 'standardized' sites and take 15 pedal minutes of effort. Again, depending on our objectives, we may target only swamp eels or count and measure all sizes of all species. Standardized sites may be sampled monthly, quarterly, annually, or less often depending on objectives.

Unlike some cichlids that are more easily electrofished at night, there is little difference between our day vs. night success rates for swamp eels.

Detonating cord does not work on swamp eels.