Short-finned eel
📖 Overview
Occurs in streams, lakes and swamps. More likely inhabits slow flowing streams or still waters . 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 . 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 . Despite its slimy appearance, its flesh is of excellent quality, considered a delicacy in many countries; meat suitable for smoking .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
: eel-like.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Short-finned eel is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
Semelparous.
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; freshwater; brackish; benthopelagic; catadromous ; depth range 0 - 3000 m . Subtropical; 18°S - 47°S, 140°E - 168°E Southwest Pacific: east coast of Australia and New Zealand, extending north to New Caledonia.
🌿 Ecology
fishes, crustaceans, mollusks, worms, aquatic plants, and terrestrial and aquatic insects
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🎣 Angling Guide
- medium-heavy 7ft spinning rod
- 30-50 lb braid
- fluorocarbon leader
- grass flats
- oyster bars
- marsh drains
- deeper channel edges
Use barbless hooks, minimise air exposure, and revive fish head-first in current before release.
⚠️ Slot limits protect breeding-size fish. Verify daily bag limits.
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Short-finned eel is an edible species."
- Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
- Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
- Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
- Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
- Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
- Cloudy or sunken eyes
- Strong fishy or ammonia odour
- Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
- Discoloured or dry flesh
⚡ Nutrition
Detailed nutritional data for Short-finned eel is currently being compiled from USDA FoodData Central.
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Short-finned eel has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🔬 Full Nutritional Profile
Per 100g - Raw, per 100g - Source: USDA FoodData Central templates (generic fish average)
📊 Population Dynamics
| Year | Region | Index | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - |
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Australian short-finned eel, Short-finned eel · Australian shortfinned eel · river eel · short-finned eel · shortfin eel · shortfinned eel · shortfinned freshwater eel · silver eel |
| 🌍CES | úhoř australský |
| 🇩🇰Danish | Australsk ål |
| 🇩🇪German | Australischer Aal · Kurzflossen-Aal · Südlicher Aal |
| 🌍EST | Austraalia angerjas |
| 🇫🇷French | Anguille australe · Anguille d'Australie |
| 🇮🇹Italian | anguilla pinna corta |
| 🇯🇵Japanese | オーストラリアウナギ |
| 🌍MRI | Hao · Matamoe · Putu · Takotowhenua · Tuna · Tuna heke · Tuna hinahina |
| 🌍MSA | Moa |
| 🇳🇱Dutch | Australische paling |
| 🇵🇱Polish | węgorz australijski |
| 🇵🇹Portuguese | Enguia-australiana |
| 🇷🇺Russian | Австралийский речной угорь |
| 🇪🇸Spanish | anguila australiana |
| 🇸🇪Swedish | Australisk ål |
| 🇨🇳Chinese | 澳洲鰻鱺 · 黑鰻 |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Angguilla australis | Richardson | 1841 | Synonym |
| Anguilla australis australis | - | - | Synonym |
| Anguilla australis occidentalis | Schmidt | 1928 | Synonym |
| Anguilla australis schmidti | Phillipps | 1925 | Synonym |
| Anguilla austrata | Richardson | 1841 | Synonym |
| Anguilla nigro-punctata | Cuvier | 1856 | Synonym |
| Anguilla schmidtii | Phillipps | 1925 | Synonym |
| Muraena australis | Richardson | 1841 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 16 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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