Freshwater Eels in Hawaii

[Ahnkochee]

I did not know this but from reading my new book "Hawaii's Native & Exotic Freshwater Animals" I learned that Hawaii has had freshwater eels in it's streams, taro lo'i, and earlier rice fields since the 1800s brought over by Chinese immigrants the same time as the Pongee (Snakehead), and Puntat (Chinese Catfish) as a food source all three well adapted for long sea voyages due to their ability to breathe air and stay alive as long as they are kept moist. The book says they are more common in Windward streams.
The Eel is the Swamp Eel aka Rice Paddy Eel scientific name Monoterus albus. They grow to 40 inches though more common at 12 to 14 inches. I live and fish here all my life and still learn something new 48 years later. Anyone here ever catch one?
http://filaman.ifm-geomar.de/Country/Co ... cies=albus

[Stan Wright]

I remember years ago someone wanted to start a commercial eel farm in Kona. The Greens went wild, saying it would get loose and invade every stream in Hawaii and kill everything living in freshwater. I wondered how they could survive on the lava fields if the tank broke?????

The bill never passed the legislature. "Hawaii is freshwater eel free, and we're going to keep it that way."

I guess that was before Google.... I had no Idea we had freshwater eels here.

[Ca_Bass]

I hate eels they are creepy!

[Lrry93]

You can catch them at bellows in the streams

[Ca_Bass]

Even though I hate eels, I'm gonna catch one for the saltwater tank I'm starting up. I think I'm gonna try to catch all the fish for it.