It is difficult to find a mate in the deep waters where few other organisms live.  The gulper eel is thought to attract mates by using bioluminescence.  The male gulper eels may also find their female mates by following a scent released by the females. 

The gulper eel has separate sexes.  Male species tend to have slightly enlarged nasal structures and eyes.  Female gulper eels are able to produce a large amount of eggs.  It is thought that gulper eels reproduce the same way as other eels in that they put all of their energy into reproduction, they reproduce once and then die off. 

Gulper eels begin their life in a leptocephalus larvae stage which is thin, almost transparent, and ribbon like in character.    

Learn More about Gulper Eel interactions with other Organisms