African longfin eel
| African longfin eel | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | |
| Phylum: | |
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| Genus: | Anguilla
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| Species: | A. mossambica
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| Binomial name | |
| Anguilla mossambica (Peters, 1852)
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| Synonyms[2] | |
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The African longfin eel[3] (Anguilla mossambica), also known simply as the longfin eel, is an eel in the family Anguillidae.[4] It was described by Wilhelm Peters in 1852, originally under the genus Muraena.[5] It is a tropical eel known from freshwaters in southern Kenya, Cape Agulhas, Madagascar, and New Caledonia. The eels spend most of their lives in freshwaters far inland, but migrate to the Western Indian Ocean to breed. Males can reach a maximum total length of 150 centimetres; females can reach a maximum standard length of 120 centimetres and a maximum weight of 5,000 grams. The eels can live for about 20 years.[4] Juveniles and adults are known to feed off of carcasses, crabs, and bony fish.[6]
As food
The African longfin eel is raised in commercial fisheries as well as aquafarms, and is also considered a game fish. It has fatty flesh which is prized in a smoked or jellied dish.[4]
See also
References
- ^ Template:IUCN2014.1
- ^ Synonyms of Anguilla mossambica at www.fishbase.org.
- ^ Common names for Anguilla mossambica at www.fishbase.org.
- ^ a b c Anguilla mossambica[permanent dead link] at www.fishbase.org.
- ^ Peters, W. (C. H.), 1852 [ref. 18539] Diagnosen von neuen Flussfischen aus Mossambique. Monatsberichte der Königlichen Preuss[ischen] Akademie der Wissenschaften zu Berlin 1852: 275-276, 681-685.
- ^ Food items reported for Anguilla mossambica at www.fishbase.org.
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