Short-finned eel
Hi! I’m a Short-finned eel
The Short-finned Eel is found throughout the South Pacific, including Australia and New Zealand. They live in lakes and coastal rivers, feeding on crustaceans, fish, reptiles, amphibians, and native water rats.
The National Zoo & Aquarium is home to 5 Short-finned eels.
Short-finned eel Facts
Taxonomy
Anguilla australis
Population Movement
Unknown
Current Animals
Life Span (captive)
Unknown
Weight
Average is 400 g
Reproduction
Adult eels migrate downstream upon sexual maturity to breed in deep waters in or near the Coral Sea.
Conservation Status
Near Threatened
Group Count
5
Life Span (wild)
25 - 35 years
Size
About 90 cm
Gestation
The larvae and glass eels take about 7-9 months to migrate from the spawning grounds
Distribution
Coastal river systems in southern Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania and the larger Bass Straight islands.