Experiences with New Zealand eels?

Mister-Blister

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Feb 19, 2020
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The longfin eel (Anguilla dieffenbachii) to be more precise. Has anyone here kept them, or knows anyone who does? I am interested in experiences with them.
 

David R

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Apr 26, 2005
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A little lemon and butter, wrap in tinfoil and place in the embers of a bonfire for few hours....

Being a NZer that's my main experience with our eels! They can get incredibly tame even in the wild, there's one on a mtb trail I've ridden that's been there for well over ten years and always comes up to beg for some food when you stop. It's at least a metre long and as thick as your arm. I imagine in a suitable tank (big, well filtered, cool water) they could make good pets but IMO they're probably best left in the wild.

eel1.jpg

eel2.jpg
 

Mister-Blister

Exodon
MFK Member
Feb 19, 2020
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A little lemon and butter, wrap in tinfoil and place in the embers of a bonfire for few hours....

Being a NZer that's my main experience with our eels! They can get incredibly tame even in the wild, there's one on a mtb trail I've ridden that's been there for well over ten years and always comes up to beg for some food when you stop. It's at least a metre long and as thick as your arm. I imagine in a suitable tank (big, well filtered, cool water) they could make good pets but IMO they're probably best left in the wild.

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They are pretty resilient. I had the chance of seeing australian longfins up close, very bold and with scary feeding response
 

Humphreys91

Plecostomus
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Apr 6, 2012
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England :)
A little lemon and butter, wrap in tinfoil and place in the embers of a bonfire for few hours....

Being a NZer that's my main experience with our eels! They can get incredibly tame even in the wild, there's one on a mtb trail I've ridden that's been there for well over ten years and always comes up to beg for some food when you stop. It's at least a metre long and as thick as your arm. I imagine in a suitable tank (big, well filtered, cool water) they could make good pets but IMO they're probably best left in the wild.

View attachment 1407025

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This is amazing! Very lucky to live in such a wonderful part of the world!
 

vincentwugwg

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Oct 22, 2013
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These are short fin eels that have been with me for 2 years.. but I believe they are very very similar to their long finned cousins. The yellow one is about 3ft while the darker one is a few inches longer.
 
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Luke tomkinson

Piranha
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Jul 14, 2019
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In an arapaima
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These are short fin eels that have been with me for 2 years.. but I believe they are very very similar to their long finned cousins. The yellow one is about 3ft while the darker one is a few inches longer.
Cool were these the same ones rod(predatory fins saw at your house??
 
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