Eel and hairtail are not the same fish, and they are quite different from each other in species, shape and living environment. Moreover, eels and hairtail are not similar in appearance, so they are not the same fish.

1. Different families and genera: The species of eel and hairtail are different. Eel belongs to the genus Anguilla of Anguilla, while hairtail belongs to the family Hairtail of Perciformes, and their species are quite different.

2, different shapes: the whole shape of eel is oblate and long. The overall shape of hairtail is flat and looks like a belt. Besides, their colors are different. The overall color of eel is generally black, which looks dark, while the overall color of hairtail is silver gray, which looks bright.

3. Different living environments: Eels have special habits, and they have migratory habits, which can live in both fresh water and salt water. Unlike hairtail, they can only live in seawater, but not in fresh water.