Quick Scoop

The eels in Disney’s 1989 animated classic The Little Mermaid are named Flotsam and Jetsam.

Key Facts About Flotsam and Jetsam

Attribute| Detail
---|---
Names| Flotsam and Jetsam 35
Species| Green moray eels 13
Owner| Ursula the Sea Witch 15
Role| Secondary antagonists; Ursula's spies and minions 35
Distinctive Features| Yellow sharp teeth, one pink and one yellow eye each 3
Behavior| Speak in unison, finish each other's sentences, entwine their bodies 3
What Ursula Calls Them| Her "babies" or "poopsies" 3

Their Role in the Story

Flotsam and Jetsam serve as Ursula's loyal operatives throughout the film:

  1. Spy on Ariel – They monitor Ariel's actions and report back to Ursula
  1. Lure Ariel to Ursula – They convince Ariel to seek Ursula's help after King Triton destroys her treasures
  1. Assist in Ursula's Scheme – They help restrain Prince Eric during the climax
  1. Tragic End – Ursula is driven to murderous rage when they're accidentally killed during the film's climax

Fun Detail About Their Names

Their names reference ocean terminology:

  • Flotsam : Debris floating on water after a shipwreck
  • Jetsam : Goods deliberately thrown overboard that sink or wash ashore

This naming fits perfectly with their sinister, ocean-dwelling nature as Ursula's minions. Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.