| Family: |
Anguillidae (Freshwater eels) |
| Max. size: |
175 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 21 kg; max. reported age: 15 years |
| Environment: |
demersal; freshwater; brackish; marine, catadromous |
| Distribution: |
Africa: Kenya to South Africa (Ref. 3506), uncommon south of the Save River (Ref. 7248, 52193). Also Reunion and Mauritius (Ref. 33390). Dominant eel species in the Zambezi system and farther north in East Africa (Ref. 52193). |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Anal spines: 0-0. Description: Typical eel form with dorsal fin origin nearer anus than gill slit (Ref. 52193), dorsal fin origin about midway between pectoral fin and anus (Ref. 4967). Jaw hinge behind eye, teeth forming narrow bands divided by groove, vomerine band with broad base and narrow extension (Ref. 52193). Caudal fin confluent with dorsal and anal fin (Ref. 4967). Colouration: Yellowish brown, mottled with dark brown or black (Ref. 4967, 52193). |
| Biology: |
Migratory species which breeds in the ocean (Ref. 52331), it requires rivers and oceans (Ref. 30558). Young fish migrate upstream with a continued feeding mode, especially on invertebrates found on rocks and logs washed by fast moving waters (Ref. 30558). They inhabit various niches in a river system (Ref. 13337) and penetrate far inland, surmounting formidable barriers in its upstream migration, including the Kariba and Cahora Bassa dams (Ref. 52193). Adults need moving water to migrate back to the ocean, especially after heavy rains (Ref. 30558). Their food consists of crabs, frogs and insects (Ref. 30558), and even fish, including trout in the streams of the eastern highlands of Zimbabwe (Ref. 2478, 52193). Caught with various types of nets. |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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