Habitat and Distribution
| The Longfin Eel Migration – River Monsters |
The New Zealand Longfin eel is an endemic species to New Zealand with a very wide distribution through New Zealand's freshwater waterways including the Chatham Islands.
Longfin eels are often found great distances inland (up to 361 km) along fresh waterways and in high country lakes which are connected to the sea. Aiding in Longfin eels inland distribution is its climbing ability when it is in its elver (juvenile) life stage and is under 12 cm in length. These migration events frequently coincide with increased temperate, water flow and low light conditions. At this size the elvers (young eel) can migrate up to 130 km inland over a summer and has been observed climbing near vertical surfaces up to 43 m tall. This feat is accomplished through a combination of surface tension (with the water) and friction.
The in-stream distribution varies depending on the life stage of the Longfin eel. As elvers (juveniles) they prefer shallow water (under 0.5 m deep) with coarse substratum and faster than average stream flow (such as that found in stream riffle). Adult Longfin eels tend to be found next to or under large pieces of debris and undercut river banks.
Read more about this topic: New Zealand Longfin Eel
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