Anguilla dieffenbachii Gray, 1842
New Zealand longfin eel
photo by Bursell, J.J.

Family:  Anguillidae (Freshwater eels)
Max. size:  185 cm TL (male/unsexed); 156 cm TL (female); max.weight: 25 kg
Environment:  demersal; freshwater; brackish; marine, catadromous
Distribution:  Southwest Pacific: endemic to New Zealand.
Diagnosis:   
Biology:  Commonly found in lakes and rivers (Ref. 9258). Inhabits stony rivers (Ref. 9072). Migrates to the sea to breed. Oviparous (Ref. 205). Marketed fresh, smoked and frozen; eaten fried and broiled (Ref. 9988). Reports of reaching up to 2 meters and 50 kilograms are rare and more common historically; in recent times, only a few exceed 120 cm TL (Ref. 82796).
IUCN Red List Status: Endangered (EN); Date assessed: 08 November 2018 (A2bd) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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