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Meet New Zealand's Long Fin Eel: A Unique Native Predator

Discover the fascinating life of New Zealand's Long Fin Eel (Anguilla dieffenbachii), a remarkable native predator that exhibits both fish and snake-like characteristics. From hatching in the ocean to navigating freshwater rivers, this eel undergoes a unique life cycle consisting of several stages, including larvae, glass eel, elver, and adult. Learn about its habitat, feeding habits, and the crucial role it plays in the ecosystem. Join us in protecting these amazing creatures as they migrate back to the ocean to spawn.

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Meet New Zealand's Long Fin Eel: A Unique Native Predator

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  1. slimy THE EEL I am New Zealand's Top Native Predator By Daniel Makowem

  2. Here is a family portrait What do you think? That is me in the front

  3. ?????????????????????? Am I a FISH or Could I be a SNAKE ? I think I am a snake!

  4. Noooooo… I AM A FISH!!!!!! • Common Name: Long Fin Eel • Family Name: Fish (Pisces) • Scientific Name: Anguilla dieffenbachii

  5. Life CycleLarvae • I hatched from an egg. • I floated on a current towards New Zealand in the ocean for 18 months. • I was 1mm long and weighed nothing.

  6. Life Cycle Glass Eel • I floated to Wellington harbour. • I changed shape and became transparent. • I was about 5cm long. • I made my way into the Hutt River mouth and started my journey upstream to find my home.

  7. Life CycleElver • Wow, I changed to an Eel colour. • My head got bigger and rounder. • At night I swam further upstream with my friends. • I had to climb up waterfalls. • I was able to stick to rocks.

  8. Life Cycle Adult Eel • I am 15 years old – I am an adult : • I am snakelike and tubular. • I am darkish grey with a white belly. • I am slimy and smooth to touch…..yuk !!! • I have a fin along my back. • I can grow up to 2m long and weigh 30kg.

  9. Summary of My Amazing Life Cycle I live just over ½ my life in fresh water and the rest in the ocean!

  10. Why are we so COOL? • We look like snakes but we are fish! • We spawn in secret! • We are swimmers but can climb up waterfalls! • We hunt with our sense of smell!

  11. More Reasons.... • We are secretive-that’s because we hide during the day and hunt at night. • We have over 100 vertebrae so our bodies are flexible. • We can stretch our bodies into small holes and attack. • We can slither across the land and dig in sand.

  12. One More Reason…. • We can swim backwards and forwards.

  13. Food Chain – Comparison JUNIOR - ELVER ADULT - EEL • Bottom of the food chain. • Predator -larger eel • Eat dead baby eels, ants, crabs, insects • The top of the food chain • Predator - humans • Eat fish, crabs, ducks, snails

  14. Habitat – My Home • I have a really good habitat • I camouflage myself in murky water • I hide under rocks • I live in the Horokiri stream at Battle Hill farm (a boy called Daniel came to study meand took this photo)

  15. My Migration – April 2025 • Physical changes. • Horokiri Stream into Hutt River into Ocean. • 100 Days • Fertilise eggs and then die.

  16. PROTECT ME PLEASE Human kids protesting against commercial Long Fin Eel fishing outside Massey University

  17. Bibliography • www.doc.govt.nz › Conservation › Native animals › Fish‎ • www.teara.govt.nz/en/eels/page • www.teara.govt.nz/en/eels/page • Battle Hill Farm

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