New 🐟 Mercury Safety Guide & Omega-3 Rankings Updated for 2026. View Omega-3 Rankings →

Diadromous Data Deficient 🍽️ Edible 🌡️ Tropical

Polynesian longfinned eel

Anguilla megastoma Kaup, 1856
Max Length
100 cm
Max Weight
-
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
3.8
Depth
0–3000 m
Climate
Tropical
Resilience
Very low
Vulnerability
72.00/100
Typical Length
-
Depth Zone
demersal

📖 Overview

Adults are found in rocky pools, often in coastal streams . No separate statistics available . The maximum weight (9,000 g) refers to the length (165 cm TL) of a female individual .

Scientific Name
Anguilla megastoma
Authority
Kaup, 1856
Habitat
Diadromous
Climate
Tropical
IUCN Status
DD
Max Length
100 cm
Depth Range
0–3000 m
Trophic Level
3.8
Resilience
Very low
Vulnerability
72.00/100
Migration
Catadromous
Salinity
30–40 ppt

🐟 Physical Description

Vertebrae: 110 - 114. The only species that can be either variegated or plain-colored. Mottled individuals most closely resemble Anguilla celebensis and A. interioris in having broad, undivided tooth bands, but their ranges do not overlap. Plain-colored individuals most closely resemble A. japonica and A. borneensis, but those species both geographically distant. A. obscura is also plain-colored but has a shorter dorsal fin . The skin is grey to yellowish and more or less spotted with brown or black. It can be sometimes uniformly brownish red on the flanks and the back. The belly is white. Young specimens are grey and do not have spots.: eel-like.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Polynesian longfinned eel is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

aquatic invertebrates
small fish
algae
detritus

🥚 Reproduction

🐣 Oviparous 📦 Batch Spawner
Spawning Season
spring
Spawn Location
Substrate
Fertilization
External

Semelparous.

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; freshwater; brackish; demersal; catadromous ; depth range 0 - 3000 m . Tropical; 1°S - 25°S recorded from Pitcairn (Ref.

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
🌊 Marine 💧 Freshwater 🌿 Brackish ⬇️ Benthic
Migration
Catadromous
Trophic Level
3.8±0.7

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.00076 × L3.17 (TL)
Max TL
100cm
Vertebrae
112

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Salinity Range
30–40ppt

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category
Data Deficient
Assessment Date
2018

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
Very low
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
72.00/100
High vulnerability
Trophic Level
3.8
Predator
Climate Zone
Tropical
Described By
Kaup, 1856

🍽️ Edibility & Flavour

"Anguilla Megastoma is an edible species."

✗ Not for Raw
✓ Fresh Indicators
  • 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
✗ Avoid If
  • Cloudy or sunken eyes
  • Strong fishy or ammonia odour
  • Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
  • Discoloured or dry flesh
Best Cooking Methods
Baking Grilling Pan-frying

⚡ Nutrition

Detailed nutritional data for Polynesian longfinned eel is currently being compiled from USDA FoodData Central.

🔬 Mercury Safety

Mercury data for Polynesian longfinned eel has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.

🌿 Sustainability

Best Choice
Healthy stocks, low impact
Good Alternative
Well-managed, minor concerns
Use Caution
Check sourcing and season
Avoid
Overfished or high impact

🔬 Full Nutritional Profile

Per 100g - Raw, per 100g - Source: USDA FoodData Central templates (generic fish average)

Proximate Composition
Energy125 kcal
Moisture75 %
Protein20 %
Total Fat4 %
Ash1.3 %
Fatty Acids (g)
Saturated Fat1 g
Monounsaturated Fat1.2 g
Polyunsaturated Fat1.5 g
Omega-3 Total1 g
EPA0.3 g
DHA0.5 g
Omega-6 Total0.3 g
Key Minerals & Vitamins
Calcium20 mg
Iron0.7 mg
Magnesium30 mg
Phosphorus220 mg
Potassium380 mg
Sodium55 mg
Zinc0.5 mg
Selenium32 µg
Vitamin B122 µg

📊 Population Dynamics

Year Region Index Notes
- - -

👥 Community & Contribute

Aquareap Community Observations
0 Observations logged on Aquareap

No observations yet - be the first to log one!

View all observations for Polynesian longfinned eel ↗
Suggest an Edit

Spotted incorrect or outdated data? Submit a correction and our editorial team will review it. Approved edits go live within 48 hours.

Link to a scientific paper, FishBase, or other authoritative source
Report an Issue

Found a factual error, broken data, or inappropriate content? Let us know and we will investigate promptly.