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Kōrero: Eels

Shortfin eels

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Shortfin eels

Shortfin eels are found in New Zealand, Australia and throughout the South Pacific. They are usually olive green, but lighter on the underbelly – hence the colloquial name, silverbellies. They live mainly in lowland waterways and generally do not go as far upriver as the longfin eel.

Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi

Department of Conservation

Reference: 10049724

by Stephen Moore

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Me pēnei te tohu i te whārang

Paddy Ryan, Eels – Overview: features and distribution, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/mi/photograph/10099/shortfin-eels (accessed 4 June 2026).

He kōrero nā Paddy Ryan, i tāngia i te 1 March 2009.