- Speckled longfin eel
Taxobox
name = Speckled longfin eel
image_width = 240px
regnum =Animal ia
phylum = Chordata
classis =Actinopterygii
ordo =Anguilliformes
familia =Anguillidae
genus = "Anguilla"
species = "A. reinhardtii"
range_
range_map_caption=
binomial = "Anguilla reinhardtii"
binomial_authority = Steindachner, 1867The speckled longfin eel or Australian long-finned eel, "Anguilla reinhardtii", is one of 15
species ofeel in the familyAnguillidae . It has a long snake-like cylindrical body with its dorsal, tail and anal fins joined to form one long fin. It usually has a brownish green or olive green back and sides with small darker spots or blotches all over its body. Its underside is paler. [http://calamvalecreek.awardspace.com/elwood.html] It has a small gill opening on each side of its wide head, with thick lips. [http://www.dpi.vic.gov.au/angling/Introduction/fishmentioned.htm#eels] It is Australia's largest freshwater eel, and the female grows much larger than the male. [http://www.fisheries.nsw.gov.au/recreational/fish/long-finned_eel] It is also known as the spotted eel.Distribution
The long-finned eel is a native of
New Guinea , easternAustralia (includingTasmania ),Lord Howe Island , andNew Caledonia . Specimens have been found in some Pacific islands and inNew Zealand . [http://www.forestandbird.org.nz/bestfishguide/species/eels.asp] [http://www.ifs.tas.gov.au/ifs/IFSDatabaseManager/SpeciesDatabase/long-finned-eel] It can be found in many freshwater areas, including creeks, streams, rivers, swamps, dams, lagoons, and lakes. [http://www.fisheries.nsw.gov.au/recreational/fish/long-finned_eel]Size and lifespan
Long-finned eels can grow to 2 metres (6 feet) for males and 1.58 metres for females, although landlocked eels can grow to 3 metres (10 feet) and weigh 20 kilograms (more than 40 pounds). [http://calamvalecreek.awardspace.com/elwood.html] They can live more than 100 years. [http://www.fisheries.nsw.gov.au/recreational/fish/long-finned_eel]
Diet
Long-finned eels are carnivorous, eating
crustacean s,snail s,frog s,molluscs , insectlarvae , andfish — including elvers and native trout. They will also take small waterfowl.Breeding and migration
Like the other anguillids, speckled longfin eels are
catadromous : when they reach maturity, they stop feeding and migrate downstream to the sea. They may travel up to three or four thousand kilometres to a spawning ground. The larvae drift on theocean current s and eventually reach coastal waters, where they metamorphose intoelver s (tiny, semi-transparent eels). From there, they migrate upstream, traversing numerous obstacles — if necessary, leaving the water and travelling short distances over moist ground. They are well fitted to this task, being able to absorb 50% of the oxygen they need through the skin. Eventually, they take up residence in a lake, swamp, dam or river, where they remain until they reach maturity.References
*
* [http://www.niwascience.co.nz/rc/freshwater/fishatlas/species/australian_longfin_eel NIWA 2006]
* [http://calamvalecreek.awardspace.com/elwood.html Critters of Calamvale Creek]
* [http://www.dpi.vic.gov.au/angling/Introduction/fishmentioned.htm#eels Department of Primary Industries Victoria]
* [http://www.ifs.tas.gov.au/ifs/IFSDatabaseManager/SpeciesDatabase/long-finned-eel Inland Fisheries Service Tasmania Long-finned eel fact sheet]
* [http://www.fisheries.nsw.gov.au/recreational/fish/long-finned_eel New South Wales Department of Fisheries]
* [http://www.amonline.net.au/FISHES/fishfacts/fish/areinhard.htm Australian Museum fish facts]
* [http://www.auseco.com.au/?action=page.view&page=138 AUSECO]
* [http://www.http://www.forestandbird.org.nz/bestfishguide/species/eels.asp Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society]
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