Anguilla Sucklandii is a species of freshwater eel belonging to the Anguillidae family, native to New Zealand. Also known as the New Zealand longfin eel or simply the longfin eel, it is one of the largest eels in the world. This species has a long, snake-like body with a dark brown or greenish-black coloration. It can reach lengths of up to 1.5 meters and weigh over 6 kilograms.
The Anguilla Sucklandii is characterized by its long dorsal fin that extends over the majority of its body, giving it the name "longfin eel." It has a catadromous lifecycle, meaning it spends most of its life in freshwater habitats such as rivers, lakes, and ponds, but migrates to the ocean to spawn in the Pacific Ocean's subtropical waters. These spawning migrations can span thousands of kilometers.
This eel species is mainly nocturnal, feeding primarily on a diet of small aquatic invertebrates, fish, amphibians, and even small mammals. It has a snakelike jaw structure with sharp teeth that aid in capturing and consuming prey. The Anguilla Sucklandii is a slow-growing species, reaching sexual maturity between 25 and 35 years of age, and their lifespan can exceed 80 years.
Due to their life history traits, along with habitat alteration, pollution, and overfishing, the Anguilla Sucklandii population has faced substantial declines and is currently listed as threatened and protected in New Zealand. Conservation efforts and management plans are being implemented to protect this species and preserve its crucial ecological role in New Zealand's freshwater ecosystems.
