Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Diel and seasonal movements of radio-tagged freshwater eels, Anguilla spp., in two New Zealand streams

  • Published:
Environmental Biology of Fishes Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

We studied diel and seasonal movements of 21 radio-tagged shortfinned, Anguilla australis Gray, and longfinned, A. dieffenbachii, eels in two small New Zealand streams. Movements of eels commenced at dusk, with a higher proportion of shortfinned eels moving per night than longfinned eels, and also moving greater distances. Both species often showed extensive movements immediately after tagging, but thereafter movements were limited. In the smaller stream, home ranges averaged 30 and 10 m for shortfinned and longfinned eels, respectively, but not all eels were active on every night. There were no seasonal differences in mean distances moved. In both streams, eel movement was almost exclusively bankside, and seldom cross-channel; eels also showed considerable fidelity to a particular bank. Shortfinned eels were most commonly found in runs, and longfinned eels in riffles.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References cited

  • Baras, E. & D. Jeandrain. 1998. Evaluation of surgery procedures for tagging eel Anguilla anguilla (L.) with biotelemetry transmitters. Hydrobiol. 371/372: 107-111.

    Google Scholar 

  • Baras, E., D. Jeandrain, B. Serouge & J.C. Philippart. 1998. Seasonal variations in time and space utilization by radiotagged yellow eels Anguilla anguilla (L.) in a small stream. Hydrobiol. 371/372: 187-198.

    Google Scholar 

  • Baras, E. & L. Westerloppe. 1999. Transintestinal expulsion of surgically implanted tags by African Catfish Heterobranchus longifilis of variable size and age. Trans. Amer. Fish. Soc. 128: 737-746.

    Google Scholar 

  • Barbin, G.P. 1998. The role of olfaction in homing and estuarine migratory behavior of yellow-phase American eels. Can. J. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 55: 564-575.

    Google Scholar 

  • Beumer, J.P. 1979. Feeding and movement of Anguilla australis and A. reinhardtii in Macleods Morass, Victoria, Australia. J. Fish Biol. 14: 573-592.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bohun, S. & H.E. Winn. 1966. Locomotor activity of the American eel (Anguilla rostrata). Chesapeake Sci. 7: 137-147.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bozeman, E.L., G.S. Helfman & T. Richardson. 1985. Population size and home range of American eels in a Georgia tidal creek. Trans. Amer. Fish. Soc. 114: 821-825.

    Google Scholar 

  • Broad, T.L., C.R. Townsend, C.J. Arbuckle & D.J. Jellyman. 2001. A model to predict the presence of longfin eels in some NewZealand streams, with particular reference to riparian vegetation and elevation. J. Fish Biol. 58: 1098-1112.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brown, R.S. & W.C. Mackay. 1995. Spawning ecology of cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii) in the Ram River, Alberta. Can. J. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 52: 983-992.

    Google Scholar 

  • Burnet, A.M.R. 1952. Studies on the ecology of the New Zealand longfinned eel, Anguilla dieffenbachii Gray. Aust. J. Mar. Freshw. Res. 3: 32-63.

    Google Scholar 

  • Burnet, A.M.R. 1968. A study of the relationships between brown trout and eels in a New Zealand stream. N.Z. Mar. Dep. Fish. Tech. Rep. 26: 49.

    Google Scholar 

  • Burnet, A.M.R. 1969a. Migrating eels in a Canterbury river, New Zealand. N.Z. J. Mar. Freshwater Res. 3: 230-243.

    Google Scholar 

  • Burnet, A.M.R. 1969b. The growth of New Zealand freshwater eels in three Canterbury streams. N.Z. J. Mar. Freshw. Res. 3: 376-384.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cairns, D. 1942. Life-history of the two species of freshwater eel in New Zealand. II. Food and inter-relationships with trout. N.Z. J. Sci. 23: 132-148.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chisnall, B.L. & J.M. Kalish. 1993. Age validation andmovement of freshwater eels (Anguilla dieffenbachii and A. australis) in a New Zealand pastoral stream. N.Z. J. Mar. Freshw. Res. 27: 333-338.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dutil, J.-D., A. Giroux, A. Kemp, G. Lavoie & J.-P. Dallaire. 1988. Tidal influence on movements and on daily cycle of activity of American eels. Trans. Amer. Fish. Soc. 117: 488-494.

    Google Scholar 

  • Edel, R.K. 1976. Activity rhythms of maturing American eels (Anguilla rostrata). Mar. Biol. 36: 283-289.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gerking, S.D. 1953. Evidence for the concepts of home range and territory in stream fishes. Ecol. 34: 347-365.

    Google Scholar 

  • Glova, G.J. & D.J. Jellyman. 2000. Size-related differences in diel activity of two species of juvenile eel (Anguilla) in a laboratory stream. Ecol. Freshw. Fish. 9: 210-218.

    Google Scholar 

  • Glova, G.J., D.J. Jellyman & M.L. Bonnett. 1998. Factors associated with the distribution and habitat of eels (Anguilla spp.) in three New Zealand lowland streams. N.Z. J. Mar. Freshw. Res. 32: 255-269.

    Google Scholar 

  • Glova, G.J., D.J. Jellyman & M.L. Bonnett. 2001. Spatiotemporal variation in the distribution of eel (Anguilla spp.) populations in three New Zealand lowland streams. Ecol. Freshw. Fish. 10: 147-153.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gunning, G.E. & C.R. Shoop. 1962. Restricted movements of the American eel Anguilla rostrata (LeSueur) in freshwater streams with comments on growth rate. Tulane Stud. Zool. 9: 265-272.

    Google Scholar 

  • Helfman, G.S., D.L. Stoneburner, E.L. Bozeman, P.A. Christian & R. Whalen. 1983. Ultrasonic telemetry of American eel movements in a tidal creek. Trans. Amer. Fish. Soc. 112: 105-110.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hoyle, S.D. & D.J. Jellyman. 2002. Longfin eels need reserves: Modelling the impacts of commercial harvest on stocks of New Zealand eels. Mar. Freshw. Res. 53: 887-895.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jellyman, D.J. 1977. Summer upstream migration of juvenile freshwater eels in New Zealand. N.Z. J. Mar. Freshw. Res. 11: 61-71.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jellyman, D.J. 1989. Diet of two species of freshwater eel (Anguilla spp.) in Lake Pounui, New Zealand. N.Z. J. Mar. Freshw. Res. 23: 1-10.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jellyman, D.J. 1991. Factors affecting the activity of two species of eel (Anguilla spp.) in a small New Zealand lake. J. Fish Biol. 39: 7-14.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jellyman, D.J. 1993. A review of the fishery for freshwater eels in New Zealand. N.Z. Freshw. Res. Rep. 10: 1-51.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jellyman, D.J. 1995. Longevity of longfinned eels Anguilla dieffenbachii in a New Zealand high country lake. Ecol. Freshw. Fish 4: 106-112.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jellyman, D.J. 1997. Variability in growth rates of freshwater eels (Anguilla spp.) in New Zealand. Ecol. Freshw. Fish. 6: 108-11.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jellyman, D.J. & C.M. Ryan. 1983. Seasonal migration of elvers (Anguilla spp.) into Lake Pounui, New Zealand, 1974-1978. N.Z. J. Mar. Freshw. Res. 17: 1-15.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jellyman, D.J., G.J. Glova & P.R. Todd. 1996. Movements of shortfinned eels, Anguilla australis, in Lake Ellesmere, New Zealand: Results from mark-recapture studies and sonic tracking. N.Z. J. Mar. Freshw. Res. 30: 371-381.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jellyman, D.J., M.L. Bonnett, J.R.E. Sykes & P. Johnstone. 2002. Contrasting use of daytime habitat by two species of freshwater eel (Anguilla spp.) in New Zealand rivers. pp. 000-000. In: D.A. Dixon (ed.) Biology, Management and Protection of Catadromous Eels. American Fisheries Society Symposium 33, Bethesda, Maryland, USA.

  • Jellyman, D.J., B.L. Chisnall, M.L. Bonnett & J.R.E. Sykes. 1999. Seasonal arrival patterns of juvenile freshwater eels (Anguilla spp.) in New Zealand. N.Z. J. Mar. Freshw. Res. 33: 249-262.

    Google Scholar 

  • LaBar, G.W. & D.E. Facey. 1983. Local movements and inshore population sizes of American eels in Lake Champlain, Vermont. Trans. Amer. Fish. Soc. 112: 111-116.

    Google Scholar 

  • LaBar, G.W., C. Hernando & C.F. Delgado. 1987. Local movements and population size of European eels, Anguilla anguilla, in a small lake in southwestern Spain. Env. Biol. Fish. 19: 111-117.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lamothe, P.J., M. Gallagher, D.P. Chivers & J.R. Moring. 2000. Homing and movement of yellow-phase American eels in freshwater ponds. Env. Biol. Fish. 58: 393-399.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lobon-Cervia, J., Y. Bernat & P.A. Rincon. 1990. Effects of eel (Anguilla anguilla L.) removals from selected sites of a stream on its subsequent densities. Hydrobiol. 20: 207-216.

    Google Scholar 

  • McDowall, R.M. 1990. New Zealand freshwater fishes: A natural history and guide. Heinemann-Reed, Auckland. 553 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Moore, A., I.C. Russell & E.C.E. Potter. 1990. The effects of intraperitoneally implanted dummy acoustic transmitters on the behaviour and physiology of juvenile Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L. J. Fish Biol. 37: 713-721.

    Google Scholar 

  • Moser, M.L., A.F. Olson & T.P. Quinn. 1990. Effects of dummy ultrasonic transmitters on juvenile coho salmon. Am. Fish. Soc. Symp. 7: 353-356.

    Google Scholar 

  • Oliveira, K. 1997. Movements and growth rates of yellow-phase American eels in the Annaquatucket River, Rhode Island. Trans. Amer. Fish. Soc. 126: 638-646.

    Google Scholar 

  • Parker, S.J. 1995. Homing ability and home range of yellowphase American eels in a tidally dominated estuary. J. Mar. Biol. Assoc. (U.K.) 75: 127-140.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ryan, P.A. 1984. Diel and seasonal feeding activity of the short-finned eel, Anguilla australis schmidtii, in Lake Ellesmere, Canterbury, New Zealand. Env. Biol. Fish. 11: 229-234.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sagar, P.M. & G.A. Eldon. 1983. Food and feeding of small fish in the Rakaia River, New Zealand. N.Z. J. Mar. Freshw. Res. 17: 213-226.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sagar, P.M. & G.J. Glova. 1998. Diel feeding and prey selection of three size classes of shortfinned eel (Anguilla australis) in New Zealand. Mar. Freshw. Res. 49: 421-428.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sloane, R.D. 1984a. Invasion and upstream migration by glass-eels of Anguilla australis australis Richardson and A. reinhardtii Steindachner in Tasmanian freshwater streams. Aust. J. Mar. Freshw. Res. 35: 47-59.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sloane, R.D. 1984b. Preliminary observations of migrating adult freshwater eels (Anguilla australis australis Richardson) in Tasmania. Aust. J. Mar. Freshw. Res. 35: 471-476.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sorensen, P.W., M. Bianchini & H.E. Winn. 1986. Diel foraging activity of American eels, Anguilla rostrata (LeSueur), in a Rhode Island estuary. Fish. Bull. 84: 746-747.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tesch, F.-W. 1967. Homing of eels (Anguilla anguilla) in the southern North Sea. Mar. Biol. 1: 2-9.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tesch, F.W. 1977. The eel. Biology and management of anguillid eels. Chapman & Hall, London. 434 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thorstad, E.B., F. Okland & B. Finstad. 2000. Effects of telemetry transmitters on swimming performance of adult Atlantic salmon. J. Fish Biol. 57: 531-535.

    Google Scholar 

  • Todd, P.R. 1980. Size and age of migrating New Zealand freshwater eels (Anguilla spp.). N.Z. J. Mar. Freshw. Res. 14: 283-293.

    Google Scholar 

  • Todd, P.R. 1981. Timing and periodicity of migrating New Zealand freshwater eels (Anguilla spp.). N.Z. J. Mar. Freshw. Res. 15: 225-235.

    Google Scholar 

  • Van Veen, T., H.G. Hartwig & K. Muller. 1976. Light-dependent motor activity and photonegative behavior in the eel (Anguilla anguilla L.). J. Comp. Physiol. 111: 209-219.

    Google Scholar 

  • Westin, L. & L. Nyman. 1979. Activity, orientation and migration of Baltic eel (Anguilla anguilla L.). Rapp. Proc.-verb. Cons. Int. Explor. Mer. 174: 115-123.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research Ltd, P.O. Box 8602, Christchurch, New Zealand

    Donald J. Jellyman & Julian R.E. Sykes

Authors
  1. Donald J. Jellyman
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Julian R.E. Sykes
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Jellyman, D.J., Sykes, J.R. Diel and seasonal movements of radio-tagged freshwater eels, Anguilla spp., in two New Zealand streams. Environmental Biology of Fishes 66, 143–154 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1023691604088

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1023691604088

Search

Navigation