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ANIMAL SPECIES:Longfin Eel, Anguilla reinhardtii Steindachner, 1867

Identification

The Longfinned Eel has well developed pectoral fins, a broad head, and a large mouth with fleshy lips.

It can be distinguished from the similar-looking Shortfinned Eel, Anguilla australis, by the length of the dorsal fin. The dorsal fin origin of the Longfinned Eel is well forward of the anal fin origin, whereas the dorsal fin origin of the Shortfinned Eel is above the anal fin origin. The two species also differ in dentition and colouration. The Longfinned Eel usually has olive or brown blotches above and on the sides, fading to pale on the belly. The median fins are brown and the pectoral fins are often yellowish. The Shortfinned Eel is usually a uniform colour and does not have a blotched pattern.

Size range

Landlocked Longfin Eels (those that cannot return to sea, due to physical barriers) can grow to 3 m in length and weigh 22 kg. The species is usually seen at much smaller sizes than this, often about 1m. Males are smaller than females.

Distribution

The species occurs in Australia, New Caledonia and New Zealand. In Australia, it is known from the entire coastal margin of eastern Australia from Cape York to Melbourne and also from northern and eastern Tasmania and Lord Howe Island.

Habitat

The Longfinned Eel lives in rivers, lakes and swamps, but appears to prefer flowing water.

Behaviour and adaptations

Life cycle

Longfinned Eels undergo a remarkable migration to sea to breed. Adult Longfinned Eel swim downstream to the sea and then migrate to their spawning grounds near New Caledonia. Female eels can have millions of eggs in the ovaries.

Developing leptocephali take about one year to return to the streams of eastern Australia. Young eels (called elvers) then swim upstream and spend a number of years maturing in freshwater.

Classification

References

1. Allen, G.R. 1989. Freshwater Fishes of Australia. T.F.H. Publications. Pp. 240.
2. Allen, G.R., Midgley, S.H. & M. Allen. 2002. Field Guide to the Freshwater Fishes of Australia. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 394.
3. Beumer, J.P. in McDowall, R.M. 1996. Freshwater Fishes of South-Eastern Australia. Reed Books. Pp. 247.
4. Merrick, J.R. & G.E. Schmida. 1984. Australian Freshwater Fishes. Biology and Management. John R. Merrick. Pp. 409.
5. Park, A. 1986. Incredible Voyagers. Australian Geographic. January-March 1(1): 24-33.
6. Tsukamoto, K. 2006. Spawning of eels near a Seamount. Nature. 439: 929.

Mark McGrouther , Collection Manager, Ichthyology
Last Updated: 16 July 2009

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