A BROBDINGNAGIAN. ^,1 



EELS. 



Common Eel {Anguilla reinhardtii). 



Plate VIII. 



This fish is found in all of the rivers and estuaries of the 

 eastern watershed of New South Wales, and is the principal 

 eel of the Sydney Fish Markets. Stray specimens of eels 

 have been reported from high up in western waters in New 

 South Wales, and during the year 1907 a photograph of one 

 measuring 2 feet 10 inches, captured at Wilcannia (low down 

 on the River Darling), was forwarded to the Department of 

 Fisheries, but these can only be looked upon as " strays," 

 and nothing more, as no species of true eel is known to 

 habitually dwell in those waters. 



The Common Eel not infrequently attains a length of 

 over 3 feet, with a weight of at least 10 pounds; a weight of 

 3 to 4 pounds is, however, considered a fair average. A 

 gigantic specimen which was taken from a " dam " at Glades- 

 ville, near Sydney, during December, 1907, and which is the 

 example here illustrated, measured 4 feet 4 inches in length, 

 and weighed 25 pounds. The girth of this Brobdingnagian 

 was 15 inches. 



No special fishery for the capture of this valuable fish, 

 or its allies, at present exists; those that are brought to 

 market being usually captured along with other fishes in 

 hauling-nets — usually on muddy flats. As a food-fish it is 

 prized, the flesh being of good flavor. 



The name Long-finned Eel is sometimes applied to this 

 species, to distinguish it from another somewhat similar form 

 known as the " Short-finned Eel " {Anguilla australis). In 

 the former, the dorsal fin extends very much farther forward 

 than in the latter. It is questionable, however, in my opinion, 

 as to whether the differences here denoted are more than 

 varietal. 



In color the Common Eel is of a dark olive-brown, 

 streaked and spotted with black, the lower surface being 

 whitish. 



