American Eel
Anguilla rostrata
Australian Long-finned Eel
Anguilla reinhardtii
About
The Australian long-finned eel is Australia's largest freshwater eel, with females growing far larger than males. It has a long, snake-like body built for life in rivers, creeks and lakes.
Also known as: speckled longfin eel, australian longfin eel
How to tell it apart
This eel is named for the point where its dorsal fin begins, well ahead of where the anal fin starts; in many other freshwater eels, the two fins begin closer together.
Appearance
This eel has a long, cylindrical, snake-like body. Its dorsal, tail and anal fins join together into one continuous fin, with the dorsal fin starting well ahead of the anal fin. The back and sides are brownish-green or olive, covered in small darker spots and blotches, while the underside is paler. The head is wide, with thick lips and a small gill opening on each side.
Behaviour
It lives most of its life in freshwater rivers and streams but is born far out in the ocean. Adults spawn throughout the year, and the young drift on ocean currents back to the rivers of eastern Australia to grow up.
Did you know?
This eel's young are carried back to the rivers of eastern Australia by a specific ocean current, the western arm of the Southern Equatorial Current.
Log it in Into the Blue
Describe what you saw and we name it, then keep every species you find in your Oceandex.
