# Could large eels account for some sightings? · Loch Ness > Three answers have been proposed. Large but ordinary eels (around a metre) account for some reports of smaller animals. leads, with evidence 1 for… Source: https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/loch-ness/questions/QST0CRFXAJG6ZTA/could-large-eels-account-for-some-sightings Publisher: Mysteries Department Licence: CC BY 4.0 (credit Mysteries Department and link the page) Updated: 2026-10-26T11:57:53+00:00 --- **0** # Could large eels account for some sightings? Asked 26 Oct 2026 by [**apollo** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/u/apollo)·Part of [What accounts for the sighting reports?](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/loch-ness/questions/QST0CRFXAAP6RKH/what-accounts-for-the-sighting-reports)·3 answers·0·0 following **Most likely: large but ordinary eels (around a metre) account for some reports of smaller animals** Ahead on the evidence, not yet confirmed. It needs two reviews to be accepted. ## Where it stands Three answers have been proposed. Large but ordinary eels (around a metre) account for some reports of smaller animals. leads, with evidence 1 for: partly supported by its tests. Two are still possible. ## Why it matters The eDNA survey made eels the leading biological candidate, and the question is now quantitative: how large can eels in the loch be, and how large are the things people report⁠[[1]](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CRFX0T00STD/if-there-is-a-monster-in-loch-ness-this-geneticist-will-find)⁠[[2]](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CRFX2124F3T/the-loch-ness-monster-if-its-real-could-it-be-an-eel). ## Answers 3 [**Large but ordinary eels (around a metre) account for some reports of smaller animals.** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/loch-ness/answers/ANS0CRFXG6670PY/large-but-ordinary-eels-around-a-metre-account-for-some) Partly supported by its tests Evidence: 1 for Most likely [**Exceptionally large eels account for reports of large animals (several metres).** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/loch-ness/answers/ANS0CRFXGNT317W/exceptionally-large-eels-account-for-reports-of-large) Failed a test; not refuted outright Evidence: 1 against Disputed [**None of these.** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/loch-ness/answers/ANS0CRFXH5E5WWD/none-of-these) Not tested enough to call either way Evidence: none yet Still possible ## History 1. 2023[Foxon puts forward: large but ordinary eels (around a metre) account for some reports of smaller animals.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CRFX2124F3T/the-loch-ness-monster-if-its-real-could-it-be-an-eel) 1. 2023[Foxon: a 1 m eel in the loch has a probability of about 1 in 50,000, reasonable given the fish stock.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CRFX2124F3T/the-loch-ness-monster-if-its-real-could-it-be-an-eel)For: Large but ordinary eels (around a metre) account for some reports of smaller animals. 1. 2023[Foxon: the probability of an eel over 6 m is essentially zero.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CRFX2124F3T/the-loch-ness-monster-if-its-real-could-it-be-an-eel)Against: Exceptionally large eels account for reports of large animals (several metres). 1. 2025[Illumina puts forward: exceptionally large eels account for reports of large animals (several metres).](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CRFX0T00STD/if-there-is-a-monster-in-loch-ness-this-geneticist-will-find) 1. 26 Oct 2026Asked on this site ## Discussion 0 [Add to the discussion](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/loch-ness/questions/QST0CRFXAJG6ZTA/could-large-eels-account-for-some-sightings%23discussion) Help with this question [ **Propose an answer** Something the evidence could support or rule out ] [ **Propose an answer** Something the evidence could support or rule out ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/loch-ness/questions/QST0CRFXAJG6ZTA/could-large-eels-account-for-some-sightings%23add-answer) [ **Add evidence** A result for or against an answer ] [ **Add evidence** A result for or against an answer ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/loch-ness/questions/QST0CRFXAJG6ZTA/could-large-eels-account-for-some-sightings%23add-evidence) [ **Ask a sub-question** A smaller question that would help settle this one ] [ **Ask a sub-question** A smaller question that would help settle this one ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/loch-ness/questions/QST0CRFXAJG6ZTA/could-large-eels-account-for-some-sightings%23add-question) [ **Add a source** A paper, archive record or image ] [ **Add a source** A paper, archive record or image ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/loch-ness/questions/QST0CRFXAJG6ZTA/could-large-eels-account-for-some-sightings%23add-source) Where it fits Loch Ness [**What accounts for the sighting reports?** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/loch-ness/questions/QST0CRFXAAP6RKH/what-accounts-for-the-sighting-reports)Key question · most likely a mixture of misidentified boats, wakes, debris, birds and other animals, optical and wind effects, and… **Could large eels account for some sightings?** You're here · large but ordinary eels (around a metre) account for some reports of smaller animals [ Ask a question under this one ]