![]() The closely related New Zealand Longfin Eel ( Anguilla dieffenbachii) is reported to live up to 60 years in freshwater before migrating. Young eels (called elvers) then swim upstream and spend a number of years maturing in freshwater. Those that make the additional journey south to Victoria arrive from January to late May. Glass eels arrive in New South Wales in early Summer. Developing leptocephali take about one year to return to the streams of eastern Australia. Female eels can have millions of eggs in the ovaries. ![]() Adult Longfinned Eels swim downstream* to the sea and then migrate to their spawning grounds near New Caledonia. Longfinned Eels undergo a remarkable migration to sea to breed. Click on the map for detailed information. The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. ![]() 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. The species occurs in Australia, New Caledonia and New Zealand. The Longfinned Eel lives in rivers, lakes and swamps, but appears to prefer flowing water. The Shortfinned Eel is usually a uniform colour and does not have a blotched pattern. The median fins are brown and the pectoral fins are often yellowish. The Longfinned Eel usually has olive or brown blotches above and on the sides, fading to pale on the belly. The two species also differ in dentition and colouration. 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. ![]() It can be distinguished from the similar-looking Shortfinned Eel, Anguilla australis, by the length of the dorsal fin. The Longfinned Eel has well developed pectoral fins, a broad head, and a large mouth with fleshy lips. ![]()
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