188 EDIBLE EISHES OF NEW SOUTH WALES. 



Long-finned Eel. 

 B. si. D. C. & A. 488. P. 17. Vert. 43/63. 



Length of head 2'30-2"50 in the distance between the extremity of the 

 snout and the origin of the dorsal fin, 3"20 between the chin and the origin 

 of the anal, and a trifle more than that between the origins of the two fins. 

 Eye small. Snout depressed and spatulate, its breadth immediately in front 

 of the eyes rather more than its length. Nostrils remote, the anterior 

 situated on the outer angle of the snout, tubular ; the posterior in front of 

 the middle of the orbit, oval and longitudinal. Lips moderately fleshy. Lower 

 jaw a little the longer. The angle of the mouth situated a short distancebehind 

 the posterior margin of the orbit. Teeth cardiform on the jaws and vomer ; 

 the maxillary bauds are nowhere so broad as the anterior three fifths of the 

 vomerine band, but extend considerably further back than does that band ; 

 the mandibular bands are equal in length to the maxillary, and are divided 

 into an outer and an inner series by a narrow longitudinal groove. Pectoral 

 small and rounded, its length 3'25-3'60 in that of the head : the length of 

 head and body is I'lO in that of the tail. 



Colors. — Above dark olive, more or less spotted and streaked with black ; 

 below white : fins rather darker : irides orange : teeth purple. 



The breeding habits of Eels is a subject as yet so imperfectly understood that 

 it is needless to say more here than that it is known that they are obliged to 

 descend from the fresh water to the brackish or pure sea water in order to 

 develop their spawn ; that the young migrate to the upper waters of rivers 

 and creeks in countless thousands, overcoming in their course obstacles 

 seemingly insurmountable; that they increase in such places in size, but not 

 in numbers ; that the adults, after spawning, either become permanently 

 resident in the tidal waters to which they have descended, or return to their 

 freshwater haunts irregularly and individually ; and that they are unisexual 

 and not, as was long supposed, hermaphrodite. 



This is the common Eel of the Sydney markets, and is the species figured 

 as Anguilla australis by Tenison Woods. They occur in greater or less 

 numbers at all seasons of the year, and should be present much more 

 abundantly but that, strange as it may appear when we take into consider- 

 ation the very high price which they can always command in the market, 

 there is no regular fishery for them, such as are offered for sale being the 

 produce of the seine and prawn net, taken accidentally when seeking other 

 prey, in much the same way that the markets are supplied with that other 

 abnormally high-priced fish, the Black Sole, Spiapiura nigra (see p. IGO). 



In addition to the above mentioned method, it may be easily taken with 

 hook and line, for, being exceedingly voracious, it will greedily snatch at 

 almost any bait, provided always that it shall be fresh, or better still, living ; 

 tainted meat they will avoid unless pressed by hunger. They take the bait 

 best during the night time, and a live frog, worm, or singing locust ( Cyclochila 

 ausfralasice)* a piece of fresh fish or meat, and the entrails of fowls or fishes, 

 will all be found excellent baits. Eels are also taken in wicker or wire fish 

 creels, the former for preference, baited with fish or any fresh 05*81, and by 

 spearing. 



It is almost needless to mention that as a food fish the Ereshwater Eel 

 has few rivals, being rich, wholesome, and nutritious ; though of excellent 

 flavor, by whatever method it may have been cooked, it is perhaps best when 

 stewed. 



* The scientific name has been given to me by Mr. Skuse, of the Australian Museum. 



