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Longfin Eels. By Ryan Double April 2013. Eel Name. Common name Longfin Eel Scientific name Anguilla Diffenbachii Family name Anguillidae Maori name Tuna Kuwharuwharu. Description. Long slender tubular fish With scales, fins and it’s slimy Colouring - dark brown to gray-black
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Longfin Eels By Ryan Double April 2013
Eel Name • Common name Longfin Eel • Scientific name Anguilla Diffenbachii • Family name Anguillidae • Maori name Tuna Kuwharuwharu
Description • Long slender tubular fish • With scales, fins and it’s slimy • Colouring - dark brown to gray-black • Length - average 1.2 metres - up to 2 metres • Weight - average 10kg - up to 50kg • Its top fin is longer then its bottom fin
Food • Small fish, insects, worms and snails • When they are older freshwater crayfish and baby ducks
Predators • Overall man is the only predator by: • Fishing • Chemical discharges into rivers • Introducing trout and salmon (eat baby eels) • Changes to eel’s habitat eg lower waters levels, bank erosion • Weed removal
Life Cycle • Adult eels lay eggs at sea then die • Fertilised eggs hatch to larvae & float back to land • When larvae reach land they become glass eels • They then turn into elver so to swim up rivers • Elvers turn into adult eels
Adaptive Features • Slime covers their skin - helps them breath when out of water - keeps skin moist when out of water • They have bad eye site but amazing smell • They have sensors around the lips • They have rows of small sharp teeth that point backwards • They have scales embedded in their skin
Habitat • Fresh water rivers & lakes • Found inland • Shady pools & willow lined creeks • Flowing water & stony river beds
Bibliography • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Zealand_longfin_eel • http://www.doc.govt.nz/conservation/native-animals/fish/facts/eel/ • http://www.longfineel.co.nz/longfin-tuna/ • http://www.nhc.net.nz/index/fresh-water-fish-new-zealand/longfin-eel/longfin-eel.htm • http://www.rangitane.iwi.nz/education/attachments/169_tuna_vweb.pdf
These eels are at risk so we should respect them and their habitat. Before they become extinct. Think about what you can do. The End