Freshwater Eels

Freshwater Eels

There are 2 different types of Eels.   They are the shortfin  and longfin Eels.They were born in Pacific Ocean.  They have swum up our rivers and lakes in nz for millions of years.  When they get bigger and older, they go to breed in the sea.  

One Eel  breeds 1-20 millions of eggs. The longfin eel breeds when only  at their end of their life. When they breed they  travel  5000 kilometers away  from Nz.

Freshwater Eels are scavengers. It will eat up dead  creatures and clean up the rivers.They eat living fish and bugs and weeds and meat.

The longfin can grow up to 25 mm a year.  So  if you have caught a meter long eel that eel might be quite old. Probably older than you.  They can live up to a hundred years.