The Longfin eels live in the rivers of New Zealand. They are known as Tūna in Maori, and can get up to 6 feet long. Longfin eels hatch in the deepest canyons of the Pacific Ocean, and then take a huge journey to New Zealand. I have seen these eels lots of times in New Zealand so far. They are important to the New Zealand aquatic environment. They keep small fish, aquatic snails, and worm populations under control. Also they can only be found in New Zealand!
There are many stages in a Longfin Eel’s life cycle. The Longfin Eel story starts when they hatch from eggs into larvae in the pacific ocean. Soon they will be carried by ocean currents to New Zealand. Then they gradually change into Glass Eels(the name is descriptive, they are see through, like glass).
.As they enter estuaries they gain color, as this is happening they are changing into Elvers. These small adult Longfin Eels (Elvers) journey to find a good place to live. Elvers can climb up dams, rocks, and even waterfalls. They can be out of water for up to 5-7 days! As an adult Longfin Eel , being in a river you are at the top of the food chain. Eating small fish, small birds such as ducklings,t! 
Longfin eels have amazing Adaptations they can breath through their skin, thus letting them be out of water for 5 days! They are able to climb rocks too, these allow them to find good homes. They live up to 80 years so they can grow slowly and due to their unique life cycle. Female eels live longer due to their slow growth. Eels are really important to the New Zealand ecosystem being at the top of the food chain they keep marine aquatic populations under control. The Longfin Eels are super important to New Zealand and really cool to learn about.
Sadly Longfin eels are on the brink of extinction. Humans have affected them by overfishing, 1 person can catch 6 per day! They are threatened by habitat destruction. Pollution like nasty sewage water, and toxic mining materials can remove oxygen are also threats. Global warming has changed ocean currents making the journey to breed harder. Droughts can affect up to half the Longfin eel population. Lastly, even competition and newly introduced predators affect many eels.
Longfin eels are very important to the river ecosystems in New Zealand. Even though they are big, they are harmless to humans. You can even pet them and feed them (I did). They are very friendly. You can help by supporting Eel conservation efforts, or just wasting less energy to burn less fossil fumes. The Longfin Eels were pulling through just fine before humans came along. Now it’s our time to protect them!
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