Short Finned Eel

Catadromous. Migrating from freshwater to the sea to spawn, e.g., European eels. Subdivision of diadromous. Migrations should be cyclical and predictable and cover more than 100 km.

Diadromous. They move from marine to fresh waters as juveniles and return to the sea as adults. These eels live in a variety of freshwater and estuarine environments including coastal lagoons, rivers, creeks, swamps, lakes and farm dams (Ref. 26507). Shortfin eels are found in slow flowing streams or still waters (Ref. 26509). Glass eels move into estuaries between late autumn and spring. Mainly nocturnal feeders with a well developed sense of smell for locating prey. Diet includes crustaceans, molluscs, aquatic and terrestial insects (Ref. 26514), and bony fish (including elvers) (Refs. 26513, 26514).

Occurs in streams, lakes and swamps. More likely inhabits slow flowing streams or still waters (Ref. 26509). Feeds on fishes, crustaceans, mollusks, worms, aquatic plants, and terrestrial and aquatic insects. This species does not breed outside its Pacific spawning ground. Migrates to the sea to breed (Ref. 9258). Maximum length for female eel taken from Ref. 6390. Migrating females in Lake Ellesmere (Canterbury, New Zealand) were reported to be in the range of 48.3 to 102.4 cm, larger than for males 33.8 to 55.4 cm (Ref. 44724). Despite its slimy appearance, its flesh is of excellent quality, considered a delicacy in many countries; meat suitable for smoking (Ref. 33839).

fisheries: commercial; aquaculture: commercial; gamefish: yes